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1-1973 Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Vol. 34, Nos. 1 and 2 Massachusetts Archaeological Society

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Copyright © 1973 Massachusetts Archaeological Society

This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACI-IUSETTS ARCI-IAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 34 NOS. 1 and 2 OCTOBER 1972 - JANUARY 1973

CONTENTS

BULL BROOK: A PALEO COMPLEX SITE Page WD..LIAM S. FOWLER -- -- 1

THE CATTAIL CREEK FLUTING TRADITION FLOYD PAINTER ______6

POSSIBLE PALEO-INDIAN MIGRATION ROUTES IN THE NORTHEAST HAROLD W. BORNS, JR -- 13

PROJECTILE IMPORTS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM WILLIAM S. FoWLER 16

SEAVER FARM SALVAGE EXCAVATION WD..LIAM B. TAYLOR 24

RESTORING ARTIFACTS WILLIAM S. FOWLER 29

PUBUSHED BY THE MASSACHUSmS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.

SOCIETY OFFICE, Bronson Museum, 8 No. Main Street, Attleboro. Mass. MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS President Ralph Bates 42 Leonard Street, Bridgewater, Mass. 02324 First Vice President Josephine Laugelli 219 Beechwood Street, Cohassett, Mass. 02025 Second Vice President Ross W. McCurdy 9 Manchester Street, Attleboro, Mass. 02703 Corresponding Secretary George S. Gibb 597 North. Main Street, Attleboro, Mass. 02703 Recording Secretary Jean-Jacques Rivard 1117 Boylston Street, Brookline, Mass. 02167 Financial Secretary Mabel A. Robbins 23 Steere Street, Attleboro, Mass. 02703 Treasurer Eleanor W. Athearn 5105 North Main Street, Fall River, Mass. 02720 Editor William S. Fowler Bronson Museum, Attleboro, Mass. 02703 Trustees Guy Mellgren and William B. Brierly Robert K. Cunningham Carol Barnes Robert Wile F. Newton Miller Alan B. Lowry J. Frederick Davis MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN, pub­ lished in four Numbers of one Volume each year, commencing in October.

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This is the Society's Museum, 5th Floor of the 8 North Main Street Building, Attleboro, Mass. - Museum hours are from 9:30 to 4:30, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. For special arrangements to visit on other days, contact the Director, Maurice Robbins, or the Curator, William S. Fowler at the Society Office, Bronson Museum, Attleboro, Mass. The Museum includes exhibits of artifacts and seven dioramas portraying man's prehistoric occupation of New England. The displays are arranged so as to show man's development through four culture stages, from early post glacial times. The most recent diorama extends 15 feet across the front of the museum. It depicts an Archaic village of seven large and unique wigwams as indicated by their foundations, excavated at Assawompsett Lake by the Cohannet Chapter. Human figures to scale make the scene come alive and help create what unquestionably is an outstanding addition to our ever growing museum displays. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2010 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 1 BULL BROOK: A PALEO COMPLEX SITE

WILLIAM S. FOWLER

Several reports followed one by William C. Eld­ present can only be surmised. However, a Clark ridge and Joseph Vaccaro in 1952, published in the University geologic study made of the area at the Society Bulletin, Vo1.13,#4, describing their discovery time of the discovery calls attention to the probability and excavation of this Fluted point site. The sub­ that the land rose considerably during the first several sequent site reports were by Douglas S. Byers, two of millenniums, after retreat of the glacial ice pack that which appeared in the Society Bulletin, Vo1.18,#3, formerly covered the area - land at the mouth of the and Vo1.20,#3. St. Lawrence River is still rising. Therefore, it is con­ ceivable that at the time of the Paleo occupation this The purpose of this paper is to review recoveries sandy plateau was somewhat lower than as of now. made at the site for the enlightenment of those not Also, with the lower sea level of those days, canoe acquainted with this outstanding example of a Paleo travel up Bull Brook would doubtless have been above occupation in New England. Since the earlier writ­ tidewater as the site was approached. Over the years ings on the subject, hundreds of new members have that followed a foot or more of sand has been laid been added to the Society's membership to whom down by wind or water action covering the Paleo Bull Brook is only a name. Because of this, the writer remains. believes this an opportune time to describe the site firsthand, as a result of his experience assisting in its When the writer arrived on the scene at the invi­ excavation on two separate occasions. This occurred tation of Joseph Vaccaro, three years of excavation in 1953 or 4, some time after much work had been had explored much of the area not disturbed by sand done excavating the area by the discoverers, assisted removal operations. However, an untouched extensive by Nicola, Frank, and Tony Vaccaro, and several area still remained toward the bluff's edge reaching others as time went by. northerly through a light growth of white birch, oak, and poplar. Here, work was continued in which the It all started in the spring of 1951 near Ipswich, writer participated. And although he was not one of Massachusetts by recovery of a Fluted point of Hint, those lucky enough to make a find, he did witness which had been brought up to the surface by a bull­ several recoveries of the Paleo complex in situ, of dozer; the site was in the process of being destroyed which two were photographed and now have been by sand-removal operations. Not knowing where to illustrated. dig at first, it was hit-or-miss work with not much luck resulting. Then rain came to dampen initial ardor, necessitating erection of a tarpaulin shelter on THE SITE AND ITS PALEO REMAINS the inside edge of the field. With work stalled momen­ tarily, one of the group suggested digging there under The site had loam cover to a depth of 6 or 8", cover and out of the rain. Soon, to their utter amaze­ which evidently had been cultivated at some time in ment, a perfect Fluted point was recovered from. a the past. It contained occasional artifacts left by low level. Now excitement reigned, and the hunt for later culture occupations, including some items of the further evidence of early man was on. colonial period. Below it occurred an even sand de­ posit, which, at a depth of 10 to 15" below loam, The site lies on the northern edge of the town­ changed to a coarser sand accumulation that appeared ship of Ipswich, about 3 miles inland from the ocean more stabilized. It gave one the impression of being as the crow Hies, at the edge of a tidewater salt marsh, somewhat hard packed, and it was here that the Paleo and on a high sand plateau about 40 feet above sea remains were found. Some artifacts appeared scat­ level. This sandy elevation reaches northerly to the tered here or there, while many were recovered from next town of Rowley, and about half way between, workshop areas of from 3 to 5 feet in diameter. At Bull Brook has cut a channel, through which it flows these spots flakes were present of the flint materials into the marsh and thence to the sea. At the base of then in use. They commenced to appear at about the elevation, directly below the site and above tide­ 10" below loam, and continued down 5 or 6" into the water is an active spring, evidently a feature that firmly packed layer of sand. The writer witnessed made this an attractive camping place over an ex-' excavation at this low level of one of these workshops, tended period of time. Beyond this, what has taken of which many finally were uncovered. The flakes place here over the 9,300 years - as will be shown in this case were not large, perhaps because only a by radiocarbon dating - that separates it from the small artifact was involved. It was a flint Stem scraper, 2 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

which suddenly showed up among the chips, and gave tools of the Paleo complex recovered in close associa­ the impression of having just been made. It is shown tion with them; representative specimens have been being uncovered in the accompanying illustration illustrated (Fig. 3, # 1-28.) (Fig. 1). Fluted Point (Exhibits #1-15). Fluted projec­ tiles at this site range from 1% to 3%" in length, and have relatively broad parallel-sided, concave bases, with only a suggestion of ears in a few instances. Basal sides are often ground, while pointed ends invariably taper; are not stubby except when reworked from a broken tip (Exhibit # 14). Partly finished specimens and broken sections show the fluted technique to have followed a certain procedure. First, the base of a roughed-out form was chipped so as to produce a straight beveled striking platform. Then, two chips were removed both sides of its center, thereby form­ ing a small projecting nipple - Exhibit # 14 shows remains of the nipple. Next, an indirect percussion stroke - using a bone or other suitable tool placed against the nipple to receive the blow - was made with a hammerstone, thus driving off a long flake on one face of the point to form a flute. This process was then repeated in reverse, producing a flute on the opposite face. The length of flute in either case depended upon the quality of flint material being used; an unwanted fault in the stone would tend to prevent formation of a long flute (Exhibit #9). Final­ ly, the preliminary form was pressure-flaked into the finished shape desired. The color of the flint stock of each illustrated point appears below the drawings; to

Fig. 1. A WORKSHOP AREA, Bull Brook Site. Flint chips ..nd Stem Scr..per ..ppe..ring. A short way removed from this feature another artifact was discovered. Obviously, it was related, occurring as it did at a similar low level, and being made of the same exotic flint as that of the workshop chips - Hint has no known outcrops in New England. It proved to be a relatively long blade, well-worked all around. Thick stock was left at one end for a handle, while the opposite end was thinned to a point. The long edge of the blade was slightly concave with serrated chipping to form what appeared to be a formidable knife. Illustration of its recovery seems of interest (Fig. 2). During the two days spent by the writer at the site another find was made of a flint Stem scraper, much the same as that from the workshop, but un­ fortunately no Fluted point appeared. However, dur­ ing the many years of work spent at the site there have now been recovered well over 100 perfect or near-perfect Fluted points, all of Hint. Following are descriptions of some of these points and various flint Fig. 2. FLINT PALEO KNIFE RECOVERY, Bull Brook Site. BULL BROOK: A PALEO COMPLEX SITE 3

2. Light Gra!! GloSSJ Dark Gray 1 Apple-Green Gr~ 7 Darn Gray Du.1I Blo.cl/ Dark Tan

4 Bluish-Grajl

13 Bluish-Gray Glossy

1,­

GlossJ Maroon Apple- GTti'en Grajl Semi-Gloss Black

Blue-Banded Gray

19

16

....------O, __...... ·'''':'I-:.....=:'''':''C.~.....&":'"'''~=;_;l.·-----'''''''--- .:..:..J

Fig. 3. FLINT IMPLEMENTS, Bull Brook Site. 1·15,Fluted Points; 16,Side Scraper; 17·20,Twist Drills; 21,22,Stem Scrapers; 23,Woodworking Notcher; 24,Paleo Knife; 25·28,Gravers. 4 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

furnish some idea of the various kinds of flint that this essential woodworking operation, previously, when were used. Probably, most are from Hudson and names were assigned to the various kinds of re­ Mohawk Valley deposits, while a few, such as the covered blades at Bull Brook, seems to this writer to maroon flint items, may have been derived from out­ have been shortsighted. crops elsewhere. Paleo K1lJife (Exhibit #24). Large knives like Stem Scraper (Exhibits #21,22). This tool, of the several found at this site must have been as essen­ which many were recovered, is quite similar to the tial in hunting as spears; probably were treasured and scraper of the same name in use by all later cultures. carefully preserved. This may account for recovery Actually, it is an end scraper of small to medium size of only several blades that seem to qualify for in­ that has an extension of the blade at one end to form clusion in this category. Certainly, the one uncovered a stem. However, its snub nose scraping bit tends while the writer was present, as previously described, to be less convex than those of later ages. Its shank is a fine example of a Paleo hunting knife; the only indicates that the tool may have been hafted, although one to be illustrated. As may be seen, it is about 5" it might simply have been held in the fingers depend­ long, and has a well-chipped cutting edge, which ing upon the nature of the scraping job. together with a slightly incurvate blade would have Twist Drill (Exhibits # 17-20). Identified with made this a useful tool for a hunter. this site alone, 5 or more of this unique perforator were recovered. They consist of a worked narrow Radiocarbon Date. A significant evaluation made stem, usually 4 sided, varying from about ~ to Jr' in at Bull Brook consisted of a Carbon-14 measure of a diameter, and from 1 to Bj" in length. The bit has a charcoal sample taken from an open hearth, appear­ blunt-ended cutting edge, similar to its modern coun­ ing at the Paleo level. The sample was obtained by terpart. Obviously, this tool must have been hafted W. C. Eldridge in September, 1957, and was proc­ before it could have been used. essed at the University of Michigan, M-807. It yielded a date of 9,300± 400 years ago. Among several other Graver (Exhibits #25-28). Made from a large charcoal samples taken from other sources at the site, flint flake, this implement has at least one edge this one from the hearth is accepted as the most re­ chipped so as to produce a sharp projecting point­ liable. This well-established early date indicates that sometimes 2 or more points are present. A suggested by this time, at least, and possibly somewhat earlier, use for this tool, of which many were recovered, may the first Fluted point hunters had arrived in New have been that of cutting designs or pictographs in England. bone or wood, although, as of now, no supporting evidence has appeared in the Northeast to verify it. CONCLUSION Side Scraper (Exhibit # 16). A number of blades were recovered in this category. They are made from The thing that makes Bull Brook worthy of note relatively long sturdy flint pieces that have their long is not only the varied assortment of flint tools, but the edges beveled for scraping, casually flaked. large quantity of Fluted points that were recovered. Still another thing of note is the impressive number Notcher (Exhibit #23). This woodworking tool of workshops, some 15 or 20 in number, spread around - identified as such with later cultures - seems to the site. These features are more numerous than at be represented by several relatively broad flat-faced any other Paleo site in the Northeast. This may mean flint forms. They have one long edge chipped to form a longer period of occupancy, not all at one time, but a neatly worked straight edge, apparently intentionally as a result of an accumulation of individual sojourns, regimented. The chip scars along the edge appear representing temporary stopovers, in which hunters evenly made in such a way as to provide a cutting continued to return to the site during summer months. tool when used like a saw. Although these blades The probability is that the summer season was short have been called broad side scrapers by some, be­ with ice returning early to drive the Paleo hunters and cause of their tendency to display beveled edges, they their game south to warmer climes. What they hunted seem too expertly shaped and serrated for scrapers, can only be guessed at, as no kill site of those days and are here considered as wood-cutting tools. Haft­ has been discovered in this eastern hemisphere. ing of projectile points and knives at this site must Whether the animals hunted were mastodons, giant have been, as with all later cultures an important caribou, or smaller animals, one thing is clear, they function. Such a tool as a Notcher would have been were hunted with spears tipped with large Fluted required, it would seem, to notch the end of shaft or points; bows and arrows arrived much later with the handle to receive the blade being hafted. Overlooking Late Archaics. BULL BROOK: A PALEO COMPLEX SITE 5

Bull Brook points cannot be said to have shapes ever, they did have open hearths, as is indicated by that follow exactly the fluted Clovis or Folsom type. the one from which the charcoal sample was taken for Instead, they probably should be considered as rep­ the radiocarbon measure. As for their abodes, nothing resenting an eastern development of the Fluted point, is known about them, and logical reason alone must in which the fluting skill appears to have been well­ be depended upon for the answer as to what they may advanced. They show some signs of relationship to have looked like. We can envision rude brush shelters Fluted point recoveries at the Williamson site in Vir­ made from small growth found in the surrounding ginia and the Shoop site in Pennsylvania. Bull Brook tundra, for there is no proof that forests had arrived points, unlike many Clovis points from the West, con­ at this early date. It seems probable that their huts sistently have long flutes signifying skillful workman­ were placed nearby the various workshops, since such ship; the art of fluting apparently had persisted over activity formed a part of the framework of family liv­ about 3 millenniums. While the site's radiocarbon ing about the abode. The large number of these living date is significant in placing the Paleo occupation of areas, as indicated by the workshops, may represent this New England region in point of time, it may not repeated occupancy of the site during the summer be the earliest evidence of man in the Northeast. For hunting season by small groups spread over many Byers reports a radiocarbon date of about 10,600 years of Fluted point cultural eXistence, as previously years ago for site Debert in Nova Scotia, where Fluted suggested. Apparently the site had advantages that points were recovered. This evidence may represent an continued to attract Paleo hunters, who probably ar­ earlier movement of Paleo hunters, who pushed north rived by water in dugouts, paddling up Bull Brook to as far as Nova Scotia, moving up the coast along the the sandy plateau. This form of travel would appear the Continental Shelf then exposed as a part of the to have been preferable to overland movement, since mainland, the result of a lower sea level. However, a canoe will carry heavy equipment including flint as radiocarbon dates represent only one moment in stock - a necessary accouterment for hunting require­ time, there could well have been an earlier period at ments - much easier than on one's back. Also, land Bull Brook when the site was first occupied - the travel, it would seem, would have been unfavorable measured charcoal sample might have been associated as the travelers would have been confronted with with a later Paleo occupation. finding the means for crossing wide rivers in a move up the New England coast. And, since Bull Brook Whatever the exact age may have been, the site is on a navigable stream a short paddle in from many different kinds of Hint exhibited by Bull Brook the sea, it seems more than likely that its hunter points suggests that their owners were highly nomadic. occupants reached it by canoe. Evidently, they had journeyed from, or through other regions where Hint deposits were available, including As the search for Paleo sites in New England goes the Hudson and Mohawk valleys, to judge from the on, recoveries are made here and there of flint Fluted various colored flints used for their projectiles. For points and related implements. At Assawompsett Lake instance, apple-green gray suggests Deepkill flint on Wapanucket 8 significant finds of this early. com­ from Coxsackie on the Hudson, light bluish-gray plex have occurred, consisting of Fluted points, should be Littlefalls flint from the Mohawk, and dull Gravers, Stem scrapers, and Flake knives, all of and semi-gloss blacks probably are Helderberg flint marine flint. Numerous small flint flakes including from deposits near Catskill. While many of these striking platforms resulting from the act of fluting points doubtless were made elsewhere and were were present in close association, indicating resident brought in by the hunters on their summer treks to group activity. The center of a Paleo occupation is this area, some were made 'at the site from imported still being sought at this site, where further recov­ flint stock; many points, including semifinished blanks eries are anticipated. in various stages of development were recovered from the site's workshops, indicating on-the-spot manufac­ Still other finds including Fluted points have been ture. As no points were made of local stone materials, reported recently in the Plymouth area, which suggests we should think of Bull Brook hunters as coming from Paleo presence on coastal sites may be expected. How­ Hint producing areas with acquired skill in the use of ever, this is not the only area in New England with this preferred stone. evidence of Paleo occupation. The writer, while sort­ ing over an early collection of local Deerfield recov­ How they lived at the site while carrying on eries of stone artifacts and placing on display a quan­ their hunting activities can only be surmised. Evi­ tity of them in the Indian Room at the Memorial Hall dently, they were little concerned with activities re­ Museum, Deerfield, Massachusetts, discovered two quiring stone hearths, for they were nonexistent. How- Fluted points. One is of black flint the other of white This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2010 Massachusetts Archaeological Society.

6 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

chrystaline quartz, both reportedly found in the Deer­ cate the probable presence of Paleo hunters in the field area. Another well-shaped Fluted point of dark Connecticut Valley, implying canoe travel up the river. gray felsite was recovered some years ago in a nearby field in Montague. The point is now owned by Am­ Bronson Museum, herst College. While these appear as strays, they indi- April 11, 1971

THE CATTAIL CREEK FLUTING TRADITION AND ITS COMPLEX-DETERMINING LITHIC DEBRIS

FLOYD PAINTER

This report deals with the technique of removing sion. This ideal study-collection must, of course, de­ flutes or channel flakes from Clovis-like projectile rive form the same site, complex, and tradition. point preforms, as practiced at the Williamson Paleo­ The writer has been privileged, for he has been Indian Workshop site on Little Cattail Creek, Din­ able to study the well-known Williamson Paleo-Indian widdie County, Virginia. Workshop site for the past several years. This site The technique at this site differs greatly from is in fact the center of Paleo Man's greatest activity methods suggested by scholars in past studies re­ as yet found in North America. It produces in great garding other proposed fluting techniques. It is unique quantity blanks, rejects, and unfinished projectile also in that technology and tradition can easily be points in every stage of the manufacturing process. A identified by lithic debris alone. The author believes trained analytical mind is not required in order to the Cattail Creek Fluting Tradition was the basic arrive at the method used here to produce fluted technology employed by Clovis Man in this and all points. The evidence is everywhere and any intelHgent other areas of the Continent where his lithic remains observer could, if he applied himself, arrive at the are found. The study does not include manufacturing correct solution. techniques used on later variants, such as Cumberland, Cattail Creek chalcedony, the lithic material oc­ Folsom, and Holcombe points. curring at the Williamson site, has many impurities: geodes, bands of softer stone, and flaws of every sort. INTRODUCTION However, it was the finest workable stone available in quantity in southeastern Virginia. The early Since discovery of Folsom fluted points in 1926, hunters valued it highly and returned to this favored virtually every scholar of Paleo lithic material has lithic source for many generations. Indeed, Clovis tried his hand at describing the method or methods Man used this preferred stone so extensively that the employed in detaching flutes from the various Paleo­ material source has been completely exhausted. The Indian projectile points. Unfortunately, most of these workshop site extends for a distance of more than a studies were made by persons familiar with completed mile on both sides of Little Cattail Creek, and covers fluted points only, and these in a very limited quantity. an area of perhaps one thousand acres. Although The results of relatively few such studies received a great concentrations of workshop debris occur in sev­ wide circulation or a wide acceptance. eral spots, the entire area is littered with waste stone Deductions based upon completed fluted projec­ material: chips, chunks, blades and spalls, rejects, tile points have little value, since much of the tech­ cores, and unsuitable pieces of stone. Scattered among nical evidence concerning the fluting process has been this waste are complete and broken projectile points, obliterated by the final basal retouching and deepen­ unfinished points or preforms, and many tools. With­ ing. Obviously one needs to examine a series of un­ out doubt, the largest assemblage of Paleo-Indian finished points, ranging from crude preforms to nearly culture material discovered to date is at the \Villiam­ completed specimens, to arrive at a definite conclu- son site. What better place to search for answers to THE CATTAIL CREEK FLUTING TRADITION 7 the many mysteries posed by these early nomadic posedly lacked only pressure retouching and grind­ hunters? ing when fluting occurred. An on-the-site study of rejected material at the Williamson site changed these Apparently the finest lithic material at the site dogmatic beliefs. The writer was amazed to learn that was reserved for the manufacture of core blades. flutes were removed as one of the initial steps in the These early hunters were quite adept at striking off manufacturing process, and that fluting was repeated, long, triple-faceted blades from prepared cores. The often many times, before the point was completed. coarser grades of stone were more often utilized in The fluting process was repeated as often as found making fluted projectile points and tools. Core blades necessary to thin the basal portion of the projectile were seldom used in the making of projectile points, point to the thickness required by the maker. Also, for the obvious reason that such blades lacked the the writer was surprised to learn that initial flutes thickness and strength these hunters required for their were always struck from, or very near the center of weapon tips. The majority of points were made from the preform base, and not from either or both sides thick spalls of irregular shapes and sizes. These were of the center. The author wishes to call attention to struck off from large untrimmed nodules and chunks the accidental or unintentional by-products of the of stone. Size of the original spall determined the fluting process: broken or snapped-off bases, crude size of the projectile point to be made from it; these fluted preforms, and aborted or hinged-out preforms, points ranged from I" to 6" in length (25 to 155 mm. ). and to point out their usefulness as indicators of the We tend to seek the difficult and complicated Cattail Creek Fluting Tradition. answers to the many problems we strive to solve, yet The following portion of this paper will describe the end result of our mental labors is usually a simple, the step-by-step process of producing fluted projectile logical solution. Such is the case at the Williamson points as proven by evidence in the form of large site. We find ourselves amazed at the simplicity of the numbers of rejected or broken preforms in all stages fluting process, for we have been conditioned by the of completion. This applies only to the manufacture theories of well-known scholars to expect complex of Clovis-like projectile points made at the William­ methods and techniques. Once freed of these dogmas son Paleo-Indian Workshop site, particularly to those we do a mental about face, and begin seeking even made in the traditional manner. The writer does, how­ simpler methods by which Paleo Man could have pro­ ever, propose that all classic Clovis or Clovis-like duced his projectile points. We ask ourselves: Why points found in North America were manufactured did they do it the hard way? in much the same manner as herein described. He The early hunters at the Williamson site did make asks students of early man in other parts of the Conti­ their projectile points the hard way. However, the nent to re-examine their specimens in order to deter­ method was not intricate or complicated in any phase mine if this theory is indeed valid. of the process. These men made their weapon points in a simple, tried, and proven manner, employing a MANUFACTURING SEQUENCE technique perfected by their ancestors and handed down with little change for untold generations. Slight After choosing a spall he deemed suitable, our evidence at the Williamson site perhaps indicates ancient stone-knapper began trimming it into a rough there may have been those who now and again tried oblong or egg-shaped preform - hereafter referred to innovations of technique, who may have desired to as a blank for the purpose of simplification. Such improve the method. These devious ways, however, trimming was accomplished by means of a small chal­ were evidently not adopted by the majority. There cedony or quartzite cobble used directly against the were also those among them who were lazy or lack­ edges of the spall. This direct percussion method ing in skill, who took advantage of thin blades or spalls removed wide, thin, conchoidal flakes, which some­ by chance the right thickness. Such pieces could be times extended halfway across the blank's face. The shaped into serviceable projectile points without the blank at this stage (Fig. 4, # 1) was bifacially flaked expenditure of labor necessary to flute and work down and ~" to ~" in thickness (13 to 19 mm.), while the a thicker spall. Such opportunists were probably in width was between I" and 2" (25 to 76 mm.), and the minority, for fully 95% of the completed projectile the length averaged 3W' (88 mm.), points found at the Williamson site were made in the traditional or hard way. The thicker, heavier end of the blank was chosen for the tip of the proposed projectile point. This was The writer, like many students of Early Man, had often the bulbous end of the original spall. The held the belief that flutes were removed only in the thinner end was used as the basal end, in keeping with finishing stages of point manufacture. The point sup- the form of the completed product. The blank was 8 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY then pressed flat against an anvil of wood or stone, The blank was then set upright on the anvil and with the basal end projecting about ~4" over the edge a flute struck from one face. This no doubt was of the anvil. A sharp blow of the hammerstone de­ accomplished by means of a punch of bone, antler, livered at right angles to the blank served to break or ivory. The punch was held firmly against the off a short section of the basal end. Sometimes this striking platform at, or very near the center of the left a perfect ninety degree striking platform (Fig. base, and then struck sharply with a hammerstone. 4, #2). Often the base snapped off with a short hinge On some discarded or broken blank specimens one extending as a flute down the face opposite the point can determine the size of the punch tip by the small of percussion. Now and again the blank would buckle half circular cavity left in the striking platform (Fig. or break an inch or more from the base, ruining or 4, #5,6). At this stage a flute was often removed severely shortening the blank. These snapped-off bases from the opposite or reverse face of the blank. This are found in large numbers on the Williamson site depended upon whether enough of the platform re­ (Fig. 4, #3,4). mained after the initial flute was struck off. If not, another platform was prepared. Note in the illustra­ tions that flutes often form a narrow neck beginning at the point of impact, while this narrow percussion bulb becomes wider as it progresses down the face of the blank. The flutes, as viewed in the illustrations show this inverted bottle-shaped outline in order to call attention to this phenomenon (Fig. 4, # 5,6). In event such a bottle-shaped flute developed in the final stage of point manufacture, small flutes were removed from each side of the narrow central flute, and thus a triple fluted face was developed. However, at this early stage such trimming served no practical purpose.

Our ancient craftsman had now reached a stage where he was forced to make a decision. He must decide whether to reject this blank because of ob­ vious flaws in the lithic material, or to continue the project because he found the stone quality to his liking. Fully 75% of the rejects recovered at the Williamson site were discarded at this stage, pre­ sumably because our craftsman did not approve of the manner in which the blade fluted, or due to his fail­ ure to remove a projection or lithic flaw of some sort.

If the blank was considered suitable for comple­ tion, it was again percussion flaked (Fig. 5, # 1). Wide flakes were struck from both faces and the base, thus further reducing the blank in length, width, and thickness. This flaking often nearly obliterated all previous flutes and flake scars. The blank or blade at this stage was from 3/16" to 3/8" (5 to 10 mm.) in thickness, and I" to 1~" (25 to 37 mm.) in width. The length was reduced by W' to %" (6 to 19 mm.). Now for the first time in the manufacturing sequence, the blank began to resemble a projectile point to some extent. However, its pointed end was too blunt and the blank still too thick in the midsection and basal area.

At the next stage (Fig. 5, #2) the blank was Fig. 4. BLANKS AND FLUTED PREFORMS (Schematic Drawings). 1, again pressed against the anvil, and the base once Roughed-out Blank; 2,Blanl1 with Striking Platform in the making; more broken off by a well directed blow of the ham­ 3,4,Snapped.off Basal Ends; 5,6,Aborted Preform with Central Bottle· neck Flute, showing size of Punch Tip in Striking Platform. merstone. The striking platform was thus re-formed THE CATTAIL CREEK FLUTING TRADITION 9

smoothed or ground down to form a punch rest. These diHerences or refinements in technique were brought about by a desire to flute an already thin base further without making the blade appreciably shorter. Choice of process resulted from personal preference, or from a fear of ruining an almost completed projectile point by further crude, basal-snapping platform preparation. Again the blank was set upright on the anvil and a flute was struck from one face. This time the flute was removed with great force, for it was hoped to be the final flute taken from this face. It was at this stage when many of these larger, deeper flutes hinged through the blank in the wrong direction (Fig. 6, # 1, 2,3). This, of course destroyed or shortened the blank 2 to the extent it was useless, and added yet another bit of evidence to the discard heap. For lack of a better term, the writer calls these hinged-out blanks "aborted preforms" and considers them a reliable complex and temporal index marker.

Fig. 5. PR£FORMs AND FINISHED FLUTED POINT (Schematic Drawings). 1,Repercussion chipped Preform; 2,Exhibit 1, showing Striking Plat· form in the making; 3,Preform with a Side Flute either side of Central Flute; 4,Finished Fluted Point. for the next, and most critical stage of the fluting procedure. It should be noted here that the striking platform was not always at a perfect ninety degree angle, but rather at sixty degrees or less. In this case several small chips were removed along the upper or sharp edge of the platform to increase the angle, or to make a firmer rest for the fluting punch. The angle of the striking platform often dictated which face of the blank it would be possible to flute. Often it was found necessary to repeat the platform preparing pro­ cess in order to flute the opposite face of the blank. This repeated platform-making often shortened the blank considerably. Sometimes with a thin base, when further fluting was desired, a platform was prepared entirely by chip removal. At other times the thin base, or the edge of a steep platform was smoothed by grinding to facilitate resting of the punch. In some 3 cases a small basal nipple was formed by chip removal, then the nipple was snapped 'off thus forming a small Fig. 6. ABORTED PREFORMS WITH PRELIMINARY FLUTES (Schematic platform. In still other instances the nipple was Drawings). 10 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

At this point we will assume our stone craftsman of our ancient workman's time, far less time than was successful, as was usually the case, and he pro­ was required by this modem savage to describe the duced a long, broad flute. Let us assume also that procedure. enough of the striking platform remained to enable him to flute the opposite face without again snapping off the base (Fig. 4,#5), or preparing another plat­ SUMMARY form by a different method. At this stage, if the blank met our craftsman's requirements as to thickness of The writer does not wish to imply that the afore blade and depth of flutes, he could then proceed with described method of fluted point manufacture was the finishing details. If not, he would repeat steps as rigidly adhered to by our early hunters. This de­ shown by illustration (Fig. 5, #2); this was not at scription only represents the normal or average se­ all unusual. The reader is again reminded that our quence of the process. Our early stone knapper was ancient craftsman manufactured his projectile points a versatile and very intelligent man, and he adapted the hard way, and often was a perfectionist. his method to the particular piece of stone he was working. He adhered to a tradition, but this tradition Let us now suppose that stage (Fig. 4, #5) met was flexible enough to allow him to improvise to suit with our stone knapper's approval. He could begin the occasion. As before mentioned, he sometimes did giving his product its final shaping. Once more he not flute his point at all. Rather, he took advantage placed the blank upright on the anvil, and this time of a thin flake or blade. He sometimes found he need very carefully struck a small flute from each side of not repeat the fluting process, since the first flutes the narrow bottle-neck formed by the last central flute accomplished his objective. At other times he was (Fig. 5, #3). This process was repeated on the op­ forced to repeat the process three or four times de­ posite face, if a bottle-shaped flute had developed pending upon the thickness of the blank he was re­ there also. Normally the central flute on one face of ducing . Sometimes a bottle-shaped flute did not de­ the blank did form such a bottle-shape, while the flute velop on either side, so that one broad flute from on the reverse face was wide and shallow. This shal­ each face served to make a perfect projectile point. low flute was due, of course, to the fact that this At other times his flutes were all too narrow, and this second or last flute was removed with much less force. necssitated removal of multiple flutes from one or For our craftsman no doubt feared he might flute too both faces. These were required in order to thin the deeply and so hinge through and destroy a nearly base sufficiently to facilitate hafting the point to a completed projectile point. shaft. The adaptability and flexibility of the early hunter is demonstrated by the fact that seldom do we We will assume all had gone well and our stone see a fluted point thinned or fluted in exactly the knapper was pleased with his product (Fig. 5, #3). same manner on both of its faces. This is demon­ The base at this stage was very thin, and the blade strated further by the many platform or punch rest­ was somewhat irregular in shape - the blank lacked preparing procedures employed by him in the final only its final retouching. Using a bone, antler, or stages of point manufacture. The skill and ability of ivory flaking tool our craftsman proceeded to work a the knapper and the flaking quality of the stone he shallow to medium depth concavity into the basal was then working governed the method or methods end of the blank by using the pressure flaking method. used to attain the traditional product. These differ­ He was often very adept at pressure flaking, and re­ ences in technique of manufacture are in reality all moved small ribbon-like flakes that sometimes erased part of the same tradition, as the end result was of all traces of short secondary side flutes, and often the most importance. In other words, the projectile evidence of the platform-making method as well. The point, itself, its shape and finished characteristics, is deeper he shaped the basal concavity the more evi­ the objective or embodiment of the tradition regard­ dence of previous fluting and platform preparing he less of the different methods used in its manufacture. succeeded in destroying. By the same pressure flaking method of chipping, he proceeded to shape the blade's The writer wishes to establish in this short paper edges and the tip until the desired configuration was that normally our early hunter made his projectile attained. Then the basal concavity and lower lateral points by a difficult but very simple method and he edges were abraded against a stone until they were often began removing flutes in the crude preform dulled or smoothed to his liking, and the projectile stage. In some cases he was forced to flute the blank point was complete (Fig. 5, #4). several times in order to reduce its basal thickness. Also, the author wishes to establish the fact that in­ This illustration' exhibits the finished result of itial flutes were always struck from or very near the these labors, which probably consumed thirty minutes center of the base, in the hope other or secondary THE CATTAIL CREEK FLUTING TRADITION 11

side flutes would be unnecessary. Further, triple and We are making progress, constantly adding new multiple fluting was resorted to only when the initial evidence, but this evidence for the most part con­ flute failed to develop a width and depth sufficient to cerns lithic remains only. Our early hunters them­ haft the point properly. Lastly, he wishes to record selves have eluded us. They, who wandered over that intelligence and versatility displayed by our early this continent far back in the mists of time are still hunter is revealed by his employment of several meth­ shadowy figures without real physical substance. Who ods of fluting and platform preparation. He hopes to were they? Where did they come from, and where make clear the fact that all these techniques were did they go? utilized in the same complex tradition. We tend to romanticize when writing of these In this paper, it is the writer's intention to es­ people, and we depict them as bold, big-game hunt­ tablish the unintentional by-products of the Cattail ers. We wish to think that the fluted projectile point Creek Fluting Tradition, as displayed by aborted pre­ we have before us was used to kill a large Pleistocene forms (Fig. 6, # 1,2,3); fluted preforms (Fig..4,#5, mammal, a mammoth, mastodon, bison, camel, or 6); and snapped-off basal ends (Fig. 4, #2,3,4). All horse. Indeed they were used for this type of game, these can be of value when used as key or index it has been proven many times. We seldom picture markers of this complex and tradition. In other words, them being used, however, against smaller animals, finished Clovis-like projectile points need not be found for this type of hUIiting has little glamour. We con­ at a given site to indicate its lithic complex is Clovis­ jure up heroic pictures of the brave hunter risking his like, if these by-products of Clovis Man's fluting tech­ all to hurl his spear into the heaving side of a trump­ nology are present. eting, screaming mammoth. The truth is surely our early hunter was a prudent man, and in all probabil­ CONCLUSION ity attacked a mammoth only if the animal was too old, very young, crippled, sick, or trapped in some It is hoped the foregoing description of the Cat­ manner. Early man would probably eat anything tail Creek Fluting Tradition, although involved, has that did not eat him first, and to constantly ris.k his been made clear to the reader. If not, the writer is life for a steady diet of mammoth meat was surely at the service of any serious scholar who wishes some unthinkable. The beautiful fluted projectile points portion of this paper explained. The writer is well we search for so diligently, and study so carefully, aware that his description of the fluting procedure probably killed more rabbits than any other game does not agree with the theories of some well known animal. scholars of the subject. However, he feels a more lengthy disclosure on the differences between his con­ Courtesy of the Southeastern Conference Journal, clusions and those of other writers is not called for. Norfolk, Virginia The writer believes most students of Early Man are January 15, 1972 already familiar with the various theories that have been propoundea, and will be able to compare for themselves. In conclusion, the writer wishes to state again, APPENDIX this paper can only describe with authority the fluting PALEO ARTIFACTS FROM WAPANUCKET 8 technique employed at the Williamson Paleo-Indian Workshop site. It is, however, his theory that the Excavations have been in progress for some time same method or technique was used in the manu­ on the north shore of Assawompsett Lake by the Co­ facture of all classic Clovis or Clovis-like projectile hannet Chapter of the Society. In recent years work points. He could indeed carry this a step further and has been extended to an elevation overlooking Owl declare that there could be little doubt the same tech­ swamp, which in early times is thought to have been nique, with certain refinements, was used by later an inlet from the lake. Here at the Wapanucket 8 Paleo-Indian hunters. These, of course, included Fol­ site evidence of Paleo occupation was uncovered in som, Cumberland, and Holcombe people. In truth, the form of hundreds of flint chip workings, numerous the lithic technology of these later hunters could all broken Fluted points of the period with one perfect be considered within the Cattail Creek Fluting Tradi­ one, small Stem scrapers, Gravers, and a number of tion. The writer challenges anyone to disprove his Flake knives, one of which apparently is a large theory, and to add new links to our evergrowing butchering knife. All of these artifacts are made of chain of knowledge concerning Early Man in the various colmed flints imported from outside flint­ Americas. bearing areas, such as the Hudson Valley to the west. 12 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

For the most part these recoveries were con­ as to what some of the fragmented flint artifacts re­ centrated in four small spots indicating possible work­ covered at Wapanucket 8 might be. Accordingly, sev­ shop areas of the Fluted point Paleo hunters. Beside eral were submitted to him, and his comments on six these finds a number of fractured segments of worked of them seem significant. They are includ~d herewith flint with Paleo traits were picked up on the shore of along with illustrations of each (Fig. 7). the lake adjacent to the site, some of which were water-washed but still retained well-defined chipped 1) This is the snapped-off basal end of a large characteristics. crude preform. This, too, is a classic marker of the Cattail Creek fluting tradition. I rather believe that After reviewing the excellent analysis of the Paleo the maker did not intend to snap off such a large por­ fluting technique by Floyd Painter, as published in tion from the preform base; he would have preferred this issue, we felt that his opinion would be valuable, to break off a piece about half this length. This ex­ ample appears to be very waterwom; perhaps found on a beach. 2) The mid-section of a blade knife or two-edged side scraper. This is a beautiful specimen of its type. Long unifaced blades with worked edges are often found on Paleo campsites. 3) A triple-faceted blade made into a knife or side scraper; well chipped along one edge. This type of tool is often found on Paleo campsites. 4) Very well-made thumb-nail end scraper with some wear on the worked edge. Right-hand comer shows evidence on reverse face that a graver spur was 3 once worked on the comer, since broken off. This is a fine example of Paleo-Man's most abundant camp­ site tool. 5) A large blade spall that shows some indication 5 of having been used as a knife; note tiny use-chips along sharp edges. You will note also that the end of the percussion bulb has been ground smooth. This is a feature often found on blades, and must have been an aid in blade removal, perhaps a purchase for a punch. This blade clearly exhibits the bottleneck feature often noted on blades and flute flakes. 6) This is the most beautiful example of an 6 aborted preform point that I have ever seen. This is '-- ..:o ,_.-.~=~ __~""'~_=--.....;2------' a classic example and a marker of the Cattail Creek fluting tradition. It has the snapped-off base, the cen­ Fig. 7. FRAGMENTS OF PALEO WORKED FLINT, Wapanucket a. 1, tral flute on one side only, and the reverse hinge Snapped-off Basal End from Fluted Preform; 2,Mid-section of Knife; 3,Triple-faced Blade with Knife traits; 4,End of Stem Scraper; 5, fracture that spoiled the attempt to produce a beauti­ Fluted Spall with Bulb of Percussion, from a Bottleneck Flute; 6, Fluted one side Aborted Preform showing snapped-off base. ful point. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2010 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 13 POSSIBLE PALEO·INDIAN MIGRATION ROUTES IN THE NORTHEAST A GEOLOGICAL APPROACH

HAROLD W. BORNS, JR.

INTRODUCTION Given a geographical setting, it is now up to archaeologists to add factors of Paleo-Indian life The earliest known inhabitants of New England style, such as migration habits of big game animals and the Atlantic Provinces were Paleo-Indians of the that must be considered in determining the details of Llano Tradition. Their presence and life style is doc­ migration routes. umented by artifacts belonging to the Llano Complex, first defined by Sellarde (1952). Although Paleo­ METHOD Indian sites, now found across North America, have yielded artifact inventories displaying minor changes Figures 9, 10 and 11 represent approximate paleo­ in form or presence of artifacts, the fluted projectile geographic maps of the region for three selected per­ point remains a characteristic of the Llano Tradition. iods following the maximum Late Wisconsin gla~ia­ The Fluted point, typified by Clovis and Folsom types, tion. The information portrayed on these maps rep­ refers to lanceolate points with straight to concave resents the present state of knowledge, and has been bases, often thinned by removal of longitudinal flakes gathered from a number of sources, including my from one or both faces. own research (e.g., Wright and Frey, Borns). It pro­ vides data on the chronology and distribution of gla­ Four well identified Paleo-Indian occupation sites cial ice as well as the time and geographic extent of in the region are those at Debert, Nova Scotia; Bull the late-glacial marine transgression. These data, in­ Brook, near Ipswich, Massachusetts; Reagen, in north­ tegrated with currently accepted rates and magnitudes ern Vermont; and Wapanucket #8, on Assawomp­ of both crustal uplifts following deglaciation, and sett Lake, Middleboro, Massachusetts. The Debert site (Byers, Borns, MacDonald, and Stuckenrath, 1966), radiocarbon dated at about 10,600 years ago, was apparently occupied at this time, while the most reliable C-14 date at Bull Brook of about 9,300 years ago indicates an occupation somewhat later. Beside these sites, each of which yielded many Paleo artifacts including more than 100 perfect or near perfect Fluted points at Bull Brook, individual recoveries have been made elsewhere. For instance, Clovis-type Fluted points have been found at Ouaco Head, New Brunswick; Ellsworth and Brassua, Maine; Intervale, New Hampshire; and at Plymouth and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

As a Quaternary glacial geologist my research has 13.500 YEARS B. P. centered on the history of the glacial and associated /,/ events in the Northeast during the Quaternary Period ,/ '" (the "Glacial Age"), a time span of approximately ...... / two to three million years. From this point of view ."...... and stimulated by my association with archaeologists, 15.300 YEARS B.P. I have been asked the question: When and where could Paleo-Indians have migrated into and within I I lOll MILES the Northeast, given the limitations of the changing distribution of glacial ice, land, and sea, following .~PROXIMATE I~E-MARGIN POSITIONS IN THE NORTHEASI. the last glaciation, the Late Wisconsin Age? This last major expansion of the Laurentide Ice Sheet from central Canada began about 25,000 years ago ­ reached a maximum and then had dissipated by about Fig. 8. Heavy lines denote positions of the receding Lake Wisconsin Age Laurentide Ice Sheet ... The black square in Nova Scotia marks 8,000 years ago, as illustrated (Fig. 8). the Debert .ite. 14 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY with sea-level rise consequent to the melting of the of ice, land, and sea are depicted in Figs. 9, 10, and Late Wisconsin ice sheets of the world, have pro­ 11. vided the ingredients necessary to construct these maps. The three specific periods chosen for plotting INTERPRETATION the Paleo-geography were dictated by data, which allowed ice-margin and shoreline positions to be fixed. First, attention is called to the fact that prior to At intermediate times the available data do not allow approximately 15,000 years ago Paleo-Indians had no this precision. access to the Northeast. The last ice sheet advanced over the region and Second, it should be noted that approximately by 25,000 years ago reached its terminal position on 13,500 years ago nearly all of New England was still Long Island, New York. Prior to 17,000 years ago it glacier-covered. However, Paleo-Indians were free still covered southeastern New England and the con­ to migrate on the exposed continental shelf of south­ tinental shelf to the east, and continued in this posi­ ern New England as far east as what is now Georges tion as late as 15,000 years ago (Fig. 8). At its max­ Bank. They may even have been able to negotiate imum the ice sheet completely covered New England the deep Northeast Channel to Nova Scotia, if it was and the Atlantic Provinces with the possible exception frozen over. Northeast Channel is the passage be­ of Newfoundland. At that time world-wide sea level tween the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic, which is was 130 meters (426 feet) lower than at present. now submerged on the continental shelf (Fig. 9); Subsequently, in this area as the glacier melted sea there is no documentation of use of boats by Paleo­ level rose, and the land previously depressed as much Indians. as 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) below present sea level, Third, by approximately 12,500 years ago the ice relieved of the great weight of the glacier, started sheet had retreated from New England, and its mar­ to rebound. The complex relationship of these factors gin lay northwest of the St. Lawrence Lowland. At this time sea level was rising more rapidly than the land rebounded. Consequently, a shallow sea Hooded

APPROXIMATELY 12.500 YEARS B.P.

SEA LEVEL -90 M

Fig. 9. P.leogeogr.phy of the Northe.st .pproxim.tely 13,500 ye.rs B.P. (before p....nt) ... White exp.n.. is the ice sheet; d.rk ...as Fig. 10. P.leogeogr.phy of the Northe.st .pproxim.tely 12,500 ye.rs ... exspo..d l.nd; mottled .... is the se•. B.P. ... This m.p shows ice sheet receding, with se. .dvaMing. POSSIBLE PALEO-INDIAN MIGRATION ROUTES IN THE NORTHEAST 15 most of central Maine as far inland as East Mill­ inocket in the Penobscot River Valley, and Bingham in the Kennebec River Valley. The St. Lawrence Lowland was extensively submerged at this time. Off­ shore, the land surface had completed its rebound, and the rising sea was rapidly covering the exposed shelf, thereby reducing the probability of Paleo­ Indians migrating into Nova Scotia via this route. However, they surely would have had access to most of the northeast at this time via what is presently land, with the exception of central and coastal Maine, as well as the connection between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (Fig. 10). Fourth, by approximately 10,700 years ago, the time of occupation of the Debert Paleo-Indian site migrants would have had free access to all of the Northeast with the exception of parts of the St. Law­ rence Lowland, which was still partially submerged. At that time the shore line was about 60 meters (197 feet) lower than at present, which would have ex­ tended the dry land surface of Maine offshore 5 to 15 APPROXIMATELY miles further than the present coastline (Fig. 11). 10,700 YEARS B. P. Subsequently, the sea has risen, reaching its present SEA lEVEL -60M position approximately 2 to 3,000 years ago.

CONCLUSION The migration routes actually followed at partic­ Fig 11. P.leogeogr.phy of the Northeut .pproxim.tely 10,600 ye..s ular times by these early men were determined pri­ B.P. ... This m.p represents time of occup.tion of the Debert site marily by the limitations imposed by the changing ... D.rk I.nd .reu now show .11 of the Northeut open to P.leo occup.tion ... Note th.t M.ine shore line wu lower .t this time, geography, and secondarily by their life habits of And extended 5 to 15 miles beyond the present shore line. hunting and gathering. Speculation has been made that certain big game animals probably coexisted with based on which game animals they followed into and them in the area, it would be feasible to search out within this region. Unfortunately, however, no animal the most probable migration routes and camp sites remains were preserved in association with artifacts for these first inhabitants of the Northeast. at Bull Brook, Debert, or other sites. Therefore, all of the evidence associating Paleo-Indians with big Department of Geological Sciences, game animals has been indirect. Woodland caribou has been suggested as a strong possibility, and recent­ University of Maine, Orono, Maine ly the partial remains of postglacial mammoth and February 1, 1972 bison have been discovered in Maine. As yet these remains are undated. However, considering the colder SELECTED GENERAL REFERENCES climate and associated but limited vegetation that Byers, D. S., Borns, H. W., MacDonald, G. F., Stuckenrath, R., probably prevailed in the Northeast in early postgla­ 1966, The Debert Archaeological Pro;ect; Quaternaria, V.3, cial times, it is reasonable to assume that these big pp. 33-80. Flint, R. F., 1971, Glacial And Quaterary Geology; J. Wiley game animals coexisted with, and were probably and Sons, Inc., p. 892. hunted by early man; this hypothesis is yet to be MacDonald, G. F., 1968, Debert - A Paleo-Indian Site In Cen­ tral Nova Scotia; National Museum of Canada, Anthropology proven. Papers #16, p. 158. Dallards, E. H., 1952, Early Man In America: A Study of Pre­ Given this knowledge of paleogeography, the history; Austin Texas, Memorial Museum, p. 211. Wright, H. E., Jr. and Frey, D. G., 1965, Quaternary Of The fact that these people were migratory hunters, and U. S.; Princeton University Press, p. 922. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2010 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 16 PROJECTILE IMPORTS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM

WILLIAM S. FOWLER

This subject of importation of implements, es­ New England is somewhat isolated, and easy entry pecially projectile points, into the New England area was obstructed to some extent. For example, overland from distant regions not directly associated with the movement of peoples from the west was confronted cultural development of this part of the Northeast is by the Berkshire-Green Mountain Range of the Ap­ an intriguing one. To deal intelligently with it re­ palachians. Also, for those moving in from the south quires not only a working knowledge of implement by water, the Sound presented problems to interrupt types indigenous to this eastern section of the country, free access to this area. This leaves one to wonder but also a reading awareness of those found in other what influenced travel- impeded as it seems to have parts of the continent. Stone projectile points of ex­ been - into New England from outside culture cen­ traneous types are admittedly the exception rather ters, as is indicated by imported projectile points. than the rule in this area on plowed or excavated camp sites. However, perhaps because of their in­ Any study of this kind depends upon a compar­ frequency they excite one's curiosity as to the reasons ison of stone points proven to be representative of for their presence. New England with projectile imports having unfamil­ iar traits. For this purpose, the Stone Implement The major part of foreign imports into this north­ Classification of the Massachusetts Archaeological eastern area is conspicuously confined to projectile Society, Vol. 25, #1, the outgrowth of more than 30 points, perhaps because of their importance to man's years research in the field will be used to identify survival. Therefore, excepting the pipe import of the point types and names pertaining to this northeastern appendix, this paper deals with them to the exclusion coastal area. In instances of close similarity between of other kinds of imports. Used as implements for presumed imports in question and classified types, an hunting, stone projectiles are usually present where­ explanation will follow in an effort to present the ever an aboriginal hunter, trader, or traveler's pres­ reasons why the one should be separated from, or ence is in evidence. In fact, so much reliance was considered as the source for the other in the opinion placed upon them for procurement of food or other of the writer. As will become apparent, this com­ purposes that their styling from earliest times was an parative analysis presents an opportunity to try to un­ important part of their manufacture. Hence, type derstand the effects upon local cultural changes that after type was created from one culture to the next contacts with outside people may have had. Minimal to satisfy independent invention, as well as hunting as the results of any such study may prove to be, - or in later times - warfare requirements. Some of evidence may in time lead the way to a more complete these types were borrowed and passed along from understanding of events that took place, which in­ one people to another, who may have continued to fluenced the culture of the day either up or down. Of make them, sometimes in modified styles. However, course the facts surrounding such culture contacts when they occur as rarities at the end of a long dif­ will never be known except in part. Still the writer's fusion, they appear more as probable imports than observation of evidence in the field during his many as the work of local artisans. Especially, this seems years of research in this New England area leads him apparent when the stone from which they are made to believe there existed here many more contacts from is not of an indigenous kind, but one from a probable outside culture centers in one way or another than is distant source. This paper will attempt to expand generally believed. Furthermore, wherever evidence these thoughts through drawings of projectile points is more than that based on surface finds, it seems to recovered mostly from Massachusetts and Rhode Is­ indicate arrival of imports beginning during the Late land. Some are so totally different in styling from Archaic and extending into the following Ceramic local points of this area as to leave no doubt of their Age. being anything but exports. On the other hand, oth­ ers, because of their similarity to local types, are not It will be noted from the following illustrated so easily distinguished and require closer inspection evidence that many of New England imports have as to the material from which they are made. New York State as a probable source. This is what might be expected because of the close proximity of Appearance of these points on New England sites eastern New York. Travel could have been by trails has given rise to speculation about the reasons for over the mountain ranges separating the two areas, their presence, as to why and how they arrived. In although water routes may have been preferred. Cer­ connection with this, it should be pointed out that tainly, entry by water was the only means of contact PROJECTILE IMPORTS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM 17

before the mountains were crossed. Imports from imports and are to be found in Ritchie's class of New York appear easy to explain, but those from Meadowood points. The small side-notched type (Ex­ greater distances pose more of a problem. hibit # 19), an excavated Late Archaic find from Rhode Island is included in the Massachusetts im­ As far as trails are concerned, it is known that plement classification as Side-notched#7. It has ap­ by protohistoric times, and presumably stretching peared at excavated sites only twice, and each time back over some preceding centuries, two well-traveled was made of dark flint, presumed to have come from trails reached across the mountains to the Connecticut an out-of-state source, the nearest being the Hudson Valley. One of course is the well-known Mohawk Valley. Therefore, it is now thought of as being an trail, which terminated in the Deerfield meadows. For import. This feeling has grown of late with appear­ years it was a constant threat to the river Indians, as ance of 2 large variants with expanded fan-shaped it opened a way for Mohawk raids, by which the val­ bases (Exhibits #23,24), also appearing in Ritchie's ley tribes were held in bondage with payment of Meadowood classification. The larger specimen is of tribute. banded ivory-yellowish flint, possibly from the White­ Another overland route from the Connecticut hall Dolomite deposit in the upper Hudson-Champ­ occurred some 30 miles down river from Deerfield. lain region. It was recovered from a Webster Lake It started at Westfield in the Little River Valley and site, Allagash County, Maine. Its companion point is winding up over the mountains through Blandford, of white quartz, possibly of local manufacture, and at length reached the Hudson probably by way of the was excavated on a Swansea site in Massachusetts. In Taconic Range. During the Indian wars several white the Typology for New York Projectile Points, Ritchie captives are known to have been taken into captivity defines the Meadowood type in part as follows: over this mountain trail. Based upon this historic "Blade trianguloid in outline ... stem neatly side­ evidence, it appears likely that these trails and prob­ notched, sometimes double notched. Base straight or ably others at convenient places through Vermont and convex, sometimes expanded in a fan shape." Two Maine had been used for a long time as means of small probable variants of this point type, one without contact with the Hudson Valley. While it is probable side notches, both of flint (Exhibits # 18,20), are be­ that such trails were made available sometime during lieved to be imports. Exhibit #20 with notches, prob­ the Late Archaic period, travel by dugout down the ably of Little Falls light bluish-gray flint, was exca­ Hudson and up the Connecticut might even then have vated at the Titicut site, Massachusetts, while Ex­ been preferred for entry into this central New Eng­ hibit # 18 without notches was excavated at a Rhode land area. As for other more easterly located coastal Island site. As both are of flint they appear as im­ regions, imports more than likely also arrived by water ports, and because of their extreme fan-shaped bases routes along the coast and thence up the larger rivers doubtless belong to this class of'points. Similar points and bays to inland sites. In this way canoe-carried pro­ might have been made from indigenous stones, but if jectile imports may have come in as early as 4,700 so their derivation may well have been New York. years ago, a radiocarbon date at Wapanucket 8 on Assawompsett Lake. As envisioned by the writer the The second type of New York points to be con­ quantity of large Hint knives found in cremation bur­ sidered is represented by only one specimen (Exhibit ials at this site suggest their importation there by #21). It is isosceles in shape with a concave base early Late Archaic settlers probably from New York. and apparently is made of Onondaga brown Hint. A For from about 5,000 years ago groups of migrants surface find on a Connecticut River site not far from were continually arriving to occupy sites the Early the southern end of Old Hadley, it seems to have all Archaic hunters had vacated in their trek north after the traits of Ritchie's Madison points. His description the retreating caribou herds. Later, of course, some is brief: "small, thin, triangular points ... base con­ travel might have been overland from trail-connected cave or straight. .. 80% isosceles . .. a majority fall­ Connecticut Valley to coastal sites. The fact is that ing between 1 and 1)4" in length." ..."In the North­ however they arrived, what appear to be projectile east it is the distinctive Iroquoian form ... Among point imports, intentional or not, are found on many the northern Iroquois the principle material employed sites throughout New England. was Onondaga flint [from] central New York." Here is one example, unquestionably, of an import that ap­ IMPORTED PROJECTILE POINTS pears to fit an out-of-state source both as to styling as well as to its kind of Hint; a point generally pre­ (Fig. 12, #1-28) ferred by its chief users; the Iroquois. New York Source. The first group of points to be discussed (Exhibits # 18-20,23,24) are probable The third group of points is displayed by 2 speci- 18 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY mens (Exhibits # 15,16). The smaller one, a surface fine rendering of this point type; has all the traits, find on the large State Line site in Agawam, Massa­ but seems superior to the average shown by Ritchie. chusetts, is made of what is easily identified as Knaud­ Note the long excurvate-sided stem, which differs from erack Hint from the Mohawk Valley, the upper deposit the shorter slightly incurvate-sided stem of New of Little Falls light bluish-gray Dolomite Hint. It has. England Corner-removed#5 point of the Early Ar­ an ivory-tinted shade with contrasting small brownish chaic. Whether the two are related in any way is to ,pinkish weathered areas, which are distinctive questionable considering the wide time gap that sep­ traits of this fiint. The larger specimen, found on the arates them. Taylor farm on the upper Taunton River, is made of Coxsackie Deepkill greenish-gray Hint. These two The sixth New York class of points observed in points appear to fall within Ritchie's Brewerton Side­ New England recoveries is represented by one speci­ notched points. His description in part follows: "Blade men (Exhibit #14), a surface find at the Taylor farm. trianguloid in outline ... Stem side-notched, basally It has all the traits of a group of projectiles Ritchie expanded sometimes to a pronounced degree ... Base calls, Rossville points. Their description in part straight ... [Body] biconvex in cross section." "This follows: "Roughly rhomboidal ... weak oblique is the commonest point of all Archaic Laurentian shoulders, which merge with a contracting stem, ter­ complexes of New York." minating in a blunt point ... edges, slightly excurvate." The specimen under study has a shiny deep blue-black A fourth point type is represented by one point shade, good conchoidal fracture, and may be from a only (Exhibit #22). Elongated and widely side­ superior vein of Helderberg Hint with deposits in the notched, its Hint material is the same ivory-tinted vicinity of Catskill. Ritchie gives this point's distri­ Knauderack stock just described. Interestingly, it was bution as follows: "From the Chesapeake Bay area, recovered from the same Agawam site as the smaller where it may have originated, northward through Brewerton side-notched, although its type is different; southern and southeastern New York and southern seems to belong to the Normanskill points, found New England." However, if the Taylor farm specimen chiefly along the Hudson River and tributaries, such is Helderberg Hint, it should doubtless be a New York as the Normanskill, Mohawk, and Hoosic rivers. import instead of from some southern area. Ritchie's description in part says: "Blade narrow and triangular in outline ... Stem boldly side-notched A seventh type of New York points to be found and slightly thinned by coarse Haking from the base. here is represented by one specimen (Exhibit # 17 ). Base straight or very slightly concave." ... "Morphol­ While its stem seems proportionately too long for its ogically, it is transitional between the Lomoka side­ body length, nevertheless its characteristics in general notched and Brewerton side-notched forms" ... strongly suggest that it belongs to Ritchie's large, "Materials used are local Hints." Neither this type straight stemmed projectiles of medium breadth, nor that of the third group fit any Massachusetts point called Genesee points. Their description seems appli­ types. Therefore, they are considered to be imports cable: "Blade trianguloid in outline ... edges straight during the Late Archaic. or slightly excurvate. Stem rectangular and straight ... Shoulders weakly to moderately developed ... The fifth point type to be studied is represented Base straight." Ritchie's description continues: "Age by a single specimen (Exhibit #25). Recovered by Late Archaic; part of Laurentian ... Especially num­ excavation on the Taylor farm, it is a large extremely erous in the Genesee Valley ... A very large percent­ well-shaped spear point. Made of a coarse grained age are made from the characteristic mottled gray and Hint, it has traits that seem to fit those described for brown Hint of the Onondaga escarpment of western Normanskill Hint of the Hudson Valley: hard indur­ New York." The illustrated blade was recovered from ated shale with a medium conchoidal fracture - speci­ a crematory at the Seaver Farm site, accross the Taun­ men appears to have a fair conchoidal fracture as ton River from the Taylor farm. The specimen was though derived from a superior piece of stock - color not burned by fire, but had both shoulders broken off. is gray with banded light greenish-gray or reddish It appeared as part of a red ocher cremation complex streaks. It seems to belong to Ritchie's Snook Kill of the Late Archaic at this site. Beside its typical points, which he describes in part: "Blade trianguloid rectangular base, and shoulders - although fractured in outline; edges straight ... or slightly incurvate. - that suggest a moderate development, it seems Stem contracted, or straight ... No true barbs." He closely associated with this class of points. Also, its remarks further that it is related to the Late Archaic attractively variegated Hint effectively described by of eastern New York, especially the Hudson Valley Ritchie as mottled gray and brown - shown quite above Albany, and the lower Hoosic Valley. The clearly by the illustration - seems to furnish one more illustrated specimen appears to be an exceptionally reason why it should be considered as a Genesee im- PROJECTILE IMPORTS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM 19

17

12. 13 Ohio Source - Adena

'~'~ 7\ 7\ \:0'~f£ U ~7 U " '.""00" ~ "."M'" A 28 Uf New York Source Midwut Sour~e N. E MiJsouri Source f~ '- 0,__.... ,_~....,,=..',...... 2---L.---3---...L------...;..~

Fig. 12. NEW ENGLAND PROJECTILE POINT RECOVERIES (prob.bl. import.). 1,V.in Fr.gm.nt, J.d. G n D••pkill Flint from Coxucki.; 2·9, J.ck'. R••f Corn.r-notch.d .•. 10-13,Ad.n•... 14,Rossvill.; 15,16,Br.w.rton Side-notch.d; 17,G.n ; 18·20,23,24,M••dowood; 22,Nor- m.n.kill; 25,Snook Kill ... 26,Ecc.ntric Obj.ct .. I 27,Typ. IV Mo. (Outlin. Dr.wing. of Tri-notch.d G.m Point. from 4 r.gion.1 a....); 28,Typ. III Mo.• All .p.cim.n. are of .xotic flint••xc.pt 6-8,granular gr.yish f.l.it., 11,24,qu.rtz, 26,fin. ivory f.lsit. .nd 27,bl.ck ob.idi.n (... t.xt for n.m.s of flinh). 20 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY port, probably from western New York. Massachusetts by the writer on a nearby site in Coxsackie, obviously Corner-removed#7, also of the Late Archaic, has derived from the quarry, which seems to indicate traits in general agreement with this type of point to the Taunton find as an import from eastern New York. which it is doubtless related. However, although Ohio Source. In this group of probable imports among these New England points flint sometimes ap­ (Exhibits # 10-13) are included projectiles attributed pears, the writer has never found this mottled brown to people of the Adena culture, whose homeland was Onondaga to be one of them. This seems to indicate Ohio. The best known Adena projectile type is repre­ that the Seaver farm specimen quite convincingly sented by a long blade of variegated gray banded came from New York. flint, probably from the Ohio Flint Ridge deposits Pennsylvania and New York Sources. A group of (Exhibit # 12). This, together with a smaller Adena points classified in New England as Corner-notched point of white quartz (Exhibit # 11) were recovered (Exhibits #2-9), mostly pentagonal from various from Adena cremation burials in Brookfield, Massa­ coastal sites in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have chusetts, and display the characteristic prominent attracted attention as having certain distinctive traits rounded base of this point type. A small point of closely resembling a type of point found in both glossy black flint (Exhibit # 10) with an extended Pennsylvania and New York. Ritchie calls it, Jack's rounded base, a Rhode Island find from the Ceramic Reef Corner-notched, after the late Point Peninsula zone, doubtless belongs to this Adena type - its stem's Jack's Reef site in Onondaga County, New York. He slightly incurvate condition on one side probably was describes it as: "Ovoid or pentagonal in outline, and fortuitous. flat or nearly so in cross section ... Stem corner­ Another Adena projectile type has a leaf-shaped notched and basally flaring, barbs small to large, thin elongated form. It appeared in the Adena Cresap and sharp" ... "Materials include Onondaga flint Mound in the upper Ohio Valley and seems to be well ... eastern Pennsylvania jasper" "It occurs in represented by Exhibit # 13, a recovery from a cre­ Ohio, which was probably a primary center of disper­ mation burial at the Seaver Farm site. It is made of sal into New York" [and doubtless Pennsylvania as a banded tan flint thought to be one of many varie­ well- Ed.]. The small illustrated specimens, except gated deposits from the Ohio Flint Ridge escarpment. one, are from Rhode Island excavated sites, where Midwest Source. A small unusual surface recov­ they appeared in the Ceramic zone - exception is ery from the Seaver farm is illustrated (Exhibit #26). Exhibit #3, recovered at the Titicut site next to the Made of a creamy-ivory fine grained felsite, unknown Seaver farm. Exhibits #6-8 are made of a fine gran­ in this northeastern area, this worked object may be ular brownish-gray felsite. This kind of felsite is a projectile point. If so, it has a most unusual form rarely seen, used for other well-known locally-made with a point resembling more the nose of a reptile points, and is believed to be an import from regions than that of a projectile. It is deeply side-notched outside. Its source seems to be Pennsylvania, as the with prominent jutting prongs, which appear as the writer has been informed by those conversant with fore feet of some living object, while a deeply bi­ that area. Exhibits #3-5 are made of yellow to brown­ furcated base suggest rear feet. This strange artifact ish jasper, presumably derived from quarries in east­ appears to resemble fancifully worked stones, usually ern Pennsylvania; found in abundance only at the Le­ of flint, sometimes referred to as ceremonial eccentrics. high County quarry. Ritchie attributes this jasper They have occurred in several mounds of the Hope­ when found made into points in New York as coming well Moundbuilders. However, the Seaver farm speci­ from the same source. One large ovoid point of this men seems to have enough favorable traits to make material (Exhibit #9), a surface find from coastal it suitable for a Bifurcated projectile point, but be­ Massachusetts, is a well-defined example of this kind cause of its bulbous point and deep notches appears of point in the ovoid shape. Ritchie reports these to belong to the mound ceremonials, an import from corner-notched points as having a major center of use the Midwest. in the Seneca River area of central New York. Northeast Missouri Source. The last of the New Again, another large pentagonal point of this class England recoveries of this report with an implied im­ (Exhibit #2) was a surface find in Taunton, Massa­ port status consist of 2 small points (Exhibits #27,28). chusetts, and in this case can be traced quite surely Both were surface finds on the large well-known State to New York. It is made of a jade green black-banded Line site in Agawam on the west bank of the Connec­ flint, a striking material probably one of the variations ticut River. Exhibit #27 is a side-notched thin dim­ of Deepkill flint from the Coxsackie mine. As com­ inutive point of black obsidian with a slight notch tributing proof of this is Exhibit # 1, a fragment from midway in its base - principle sources of volcanic about a ~" vein of the same jade green flint, found obsidian are Wyoming and Oregon, where it was PROJECTILE IMPORTS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM 21 the preferred choice for projectile points. As for the Not only stone materials and point types are im­ point type itself, attention is called to somewhat simi­ portant evidence in any evaluation of this kind, but lar points from four western regions: Nevada, Oregon, the cultural age of the points in question may be the South Illinois, and Northeast Missouri - outline draw­ means of arriving at a satisfactory hypothesis. This ings of these point types will be found with illustration will become apparent in the discussion that follows, in of the Agawam point. These points, in general, have which several theories are advanced dealing with been known as Gem points and are usually made of various kinds of point imports, as illustrated. This is Hint, indigenous to the regions where found, except no casual report dealing with a few recoveries here in Oregon where obsidian is the stone most often used. and there, but one that has to do with sufficient exotic Comparison of these points reveals some differences. finds to call for serious thinking about the reasons for From Nevada and Illinois the point's form before side­ their presence. notching was triangular with a small basal notch appearing in Cohokia points from southern Illinois, In order to better evaluate the evidence, it seems and a deep concavity occurring in those from Nevada. important to note that all points referred to in this In points from Oregon and Northeast Missouri the paper belong to either the Late Archaic or the Ce­ form before side-notching was more or less pentagonal, ramic (Woodland) culture periods. This suggests that which also prevails for the Agawam specimen. How­ as living conditions changed from the earlier to the ever, Oregon points tend to have a deep basal con­ later age, circumstanoes surrounding imports probably cavity, while Missouri Type IV points have the same varied accordingly. Now, it is evident from evidence small basal notch as found in the Agawam point. in the field that the last 2,000 years of the Late Archaic Therefore, it seems probable that the point under in New England was industrially motivated by the study is an import from Missouri, with its obsidian stone bowl-making activity of the men. Quarried coming from stock brought in from the far West. steatite was made into utensils for the consumption of liquid foods, while snail-shell type wigwams were Exhibit #28 is more easily placed as to its source, large and commodious for comfortable living. With for it has its exact counterpart in Northeast Missouri a sparse population that only slowly increased there Type III points. These tiny points are quite generally is reason to believe that this was a peaceful period. made of light creamy Hint found in Missouri, similar Tribes probably were not formed until the age ended; to that of the Agawam point. They have as a dis­ were not needed. Therefore, any imports taking place tinguishing trait wide Haring basal ears, dissimilar during this long span of about 3,000 years would have from any known point type east of the Mississippi. occurred under peaceful conditions. Not so, however, Therefore, since both Hint material and point charac­ with the next age that followed, when pottery-making teristics of the Agawam specimen closely match Mis­ by the women represented the chief industrial activity souri small points as discribed, there is no doubt of its of the times. With population growth on the increase, being an import from that western region. tribes had formed by then resulting in tribal warfare, which lasted throughout the Ceramic, down to the colonial era. Therefore, point imports during this CONCLUSION period must have met with a much different reception than formerly. The more one studies this absorbing subject the more impressed you become with the probability that With New York the nearest source for Hint im­ foreign points found their way onto local camp sites ports, discussion of the evidence from this region as a result of various forms of travel. Occasionally, appears of foremost consideration. Involved are 8 groups of people probably were involved, while at different kinds of points already described, of which other times only two or three travelers may have ar­ 6 belong to the Late Archaic peaceful period: Brew­ rived. It is known that a migration on one occasion erton Side-notched, Normanskill, Snook Kill, Rossville, occurred, and in later times warfare brought in raid­ Meadowood, and Genesee. These types, except the ing parties. However, outside of such forms of travel, last mentioned from western New York, are made of one is left to speculate on other kinds that may have various kinds of Hints from the Mohawk and Hudson taken place. Of course, it is a proven fact that on valleys in eastern New York. Because of this and the numerous occasions choice Hint stock was imported, relative early culture date involved, possibly before from which local tool makers fashioned points con­ overland trails existed, travel into this northeastern forming in shape to local types then in vogue. How­ region might have been by water. It can be surmised ever, when both the stone used and the point shape that one reason for such travel may have been for involved are foreign to this area, the chances are that acquisition of stone bowls by barter, for New York such points actually came in as imports. lacked steatite quarries, which forced her people to 22 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

obtain stone bowls elsewhere. Although some may However, at that time of tribal strife entrance prob­ have been brought in from Pennsylvania quarries ably was more of an intrusion into established tribal partly by overland travel, the all-water part river groups. Whatever actually took place, the evidence route to New England, insuring easy transport of the suggests that Pennsylvania intruders .settled here, heavy stone bowls must have been an inviting induce­ bringing with them these unique points of yellow jas­ ment. The few points that were left behind as evi­ per and fine-grained brownish-gray felsite. Also, they dence of the traders' presence could have been acci­ probably imported a quantity of these stone stocks dentally lost. This seems more likely than as though from which more points were made after arrival. This they were used as a medium of exchange, which would hypothesis seems sound since such projectiles con­ have involved many more points than the few that form meticulously to the proportions common to this are found. point type, as though made by Pennsylvania artisans However, as already brieHy mentioned in the case accustomed to this work. Evidently, racial integration of the Wapanucket 8 Hint knives, there is another way took place over the long run insuring continued mak­ that New York Hint projectiles might have arrived ing of these points during a long enough period to during the 3,000 year span of the Late Archaic. It account for their frequency found on many camp sites. has become evident as a result of site excavations that It is also possible that the imported stone materials reveal a replacement of projectiles and other imple­ involved, when made into points of local types, could ments of the Early Archaic by new types in the fol­ have been the work of native workmen. lowing Late Archaic. With no evolutionary develop­ Still another explanation is required to account ment displayed of projectiles, there seems to have for appearance of the jade green Jack's Reef spear been a gradual inHux of newcomers with a diHerent point from Taunton. Being an impressive import, as tradition, who introduced new types of implements. shown, from the Hudson Valley, it could have arrived The Early Archaic hunters are believed to have slowly with a war party in protohistoric times. For, it is moved into Canada, pursuing their principle quarry known that Iroquoian raids reached to the coast and of the tundra, the caribou, as glacial ice and tundra vice versa. As an example of the latter, an early record retreated north. This exodus caused site evacuation relates how Chief Chickataubut of the Massachusetts from southern and central New England, as forests led a war party of some 30 braves to the Mohawk arrived to cover the former tundra expanse. Valley, where, at Canadaigua they were defeated. To account for the following Late Archaic, anew It seems probable that such raids to and from New people must have arrived to occupy abandoned camp York were overland affairs, crossing the Appalachians sites - nearby New York to the west seems to have by mountain trails. been the most likely source of this migration. Grad­ ually, a family or two at a time of primitive pioneers The Madison isosceles triangular point of Onon­ seeking a new home moved in and repopulated the daga Hint from Old Hadley is evidence of a Mohawk camps. But what is pertinent to this discussion is that raid, this time into the Connecticut Valley by way of these people obviously would have brought with them the Mohawk trail, one of many protohistoric raids that a quantity of projectiles, knives, and other artifacts subjugated the River Indians. Other similar points made of Hint, equipment to which they had become have appeared here and there in the valley to con­ accustomed in New York. And what is left of these firm a Wide-spread Mohawk domination of the river Hint artifacts is what now appear as imports. If the tribes from the Pocumtucks of the Greenfield-Deer­ Genesee point from the Seaver farm is any indication, field area to the Nonotucks at the great falls, and migrant pioneers came from as far away as western possibly below. New York to find a new home in New England. This Adena points, appearing as well-documented im­ migration theory supports an evident eastward move­ ports, were brought here by Adena migrants from their ment of primitive wanderers throughout the Late Ohio homeland. These wanderers, led by their shaman Archaic era, who seem to have been in search of a priests, eventually pushed into this northeastern area, new life. New England became their final settlement, as proven by the Brookfield burials. Ohio excava­ since the ocean prevented further advance. In due tiona1 research has exposed the probable cause for time they were obliged to accommodate themselves to this exodus. Evidently, Hopewell people from Illinois the use of local stones for projectiles, and soon for­ led by their priests, intent on spreading their cult, in­ got the Hints of their former homeland. vaded Ohio and attempted to replace Adena cere­ Presence of the ovoid and pentagonal corner­ monials with their form of worship. As is now thought notched Pennsylvania points (Jack's Reef) may also likely, this forced the Adena shamans and their fol­ have occurred as a result of movement of people into lowers to move eastward in search of new homes, New England during the first part of the Ceramic Age. where they might worship according to their own PROJECTILE IMPORTS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM 23 established beliefs. This happened as the Late Archaic APPENDIX was drawing to a close. As a side light, platform pipe Although projectile points, more than anything Adena-associated recoveries from a Seaver farm cre­ else, appear as imports from outside regions, occa­ mation burial suggest what may have happened. It sionally other artifacts with foreign characteristics now appears possible that these stone pipe-smoking are found on New England sites. However, as this migrants taught the natives here how to make stone report emphasizes, projectile points probably are the If pipes at their stone bowl quarries. so, this could more significant on account of their changing styles have brought about a favorable integration between and stone materials from which they are made. Per­ them and the local residents; a fascinating new diver­ haps more can be deduced from them as to their sion - smoking - had been introduced, assuring sources and culture relationships than from any other social acceptance of the newcomers. class of artifacts of aboriginal man. How the remaining two small points of the evi­ Nevertheless, there are times when recovery of dence found their way from the Midwest to the Aga­ an unusual artifact with traits that show it to be of wam site where recovered is a mystery that appears foreign make causes one to wonder what brought it unsolvable. Beyond the fact that the black obsidian into this northeastern area. Such a find was made and tiny cream flint points probably came from North­ years ago in the Connecticut River Valley of Massa­ east Missouri, there is nothing to suggest how they chusetts. While searching the river bank in the town­ reached here from half way across the continent. ship of Old Hadley a startling object attracted the However, as both seem to have the same source and eye of a surface hunter, doubtless brought to view as were found on the same Connecticut Valley site, it a result 'of water eroSion from high-water flooding. appears probable that they came as part of the equip­ ment of a traveler from the West. He might have been nothing more than that, but his supply of arrows FRONT tipped with tiny bird points uniquely shaped could have fascinated the valley natives. The Agawam specimens might possibly have been traded and so left behind.

Finally, what does all the foregoing evidence have to do with the aboriginal residents of New England, beyond proving that projectile imports arrived here from outside regions? Probably nothing specific, but in general some events that may have influenced the cultural life of this area may be envisioned. For in­ stance, the Adena migrants brought with them well­ established customs and religious ceremonials, which must have proved impressive. For they seem to have introduced stone pipe-making, to mention only one .significant custom. Beside this, evidence seems to point to the ready acceptance of the Adena religious cult. It appears to have included much in the form of cremation ceremonials that proved acceptable, adding new functions to cremation rites then being practiced by the native residents. A stimulating cultural uplift may have been the end result. All this preceded the period of tribal warfare that followed, which eventually nullified much of the -"-",--- previously acquired culture and reduced it to a deca­ ------...... dent state. Apparently, no later migrations arrived I,',\ I I to stop the downward course. .From then on, incoming _~I groups probably were considered as intruders, who .sID~ used force to obtain their desired ends. ~ Bronson Museum, .....-----,o'---,,..,.....,,.,.,.e....~::"'....:-:=~ .....--'jl·------' March 30, 1971 Fig. 13. MOHAWK EFFIGY CERAMIC PIPE. Front, back, and side views; a surface find on the bank of the Connecticut River at Old Hadley. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2010 Massachusetts Archaeological Society.

24 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

It proved to be a ceramic pipe, profusely embel­ Here again is supporting evidence, along with the lished with effigy clay modeling, totally diHerent from Iroquois triangular flint point, previously mentioned, any aboriginal New England ceramic pipe recov­ found in Old Hadley, of a Mohawk invasion of the ery known to the writer. Although the clay stem River Indians' domain, which stretched up and down of the pipe is missing, the effigy modeled bowl is in a the river between the Greenfield and Springfield areas. good state of preservation except for one fracture of However, such a pipe recovery suggests domestic pur­ its rim. It shows female faces on its front and back suits more than those associated with raids, which sides, one of which may be that of an infant with the seems to imply possible residency of Mohawk in­ suggestion of cradle-board plaited basket contrivance truders. Hence, this piece of evidence upholds his­ about the top of its head (Fig. 13). An exceptionally toric reports to the effect that Mohawk groups, includ­ skillful piece of intricate modeling, this pipe has been ing both men and women, at times occupied valley identified by a New York archaeologist as being of sites during periods of Mohawk domination over the Mohawk manufacture. River Indians.

SEAVER FARM SALVAGE EXCAVATION

WILLIAM B. TAYLOR

The final stage of construction in a housing de­ From then on, with the help of my two sons, velopment on the Seaver Farm in Bridgewater, Mass­ David and Billy, we conducted as thorough a search achusetts occurred in September, 1969. An area lo­ of the two charred areas as time and public inter­ cated on the easterly end of the farm up to the North ference permitted. Encroachment by the housing de­ Middleboro boundary line, amounting to about two velopment was ever present, but in spite of it, we kept acres in size, was bulldozed. Loam to a depth of records of our recoveries as to the soil horizon in about 12 or 14" was stripped off the land, which lies which they occurred, their horizontal locations deter­ along the upper reaches of the Taunton River. This mined by our grid layout, and depth of charcoal over­ is at a point some 400 yards up stream from the Titi­ burden. However, as building operations of the de­ cut site, previously referred to in my report on Red velopment approached completion, with the final Paint Burials, Society Bulletin, Vol. 31, #3 and 4. movement of loam by the bulldozer that would cover the charcoal areas we were excavating, our scientific In retrospect, the eastern part of the farm covered methods had to give way to a faster salvage pro­ by this report has yielded many Early Archaic Bifur­ cedure. From then on we used a plow to hasten the cated projectile points from surface hunting in bygone work, carefully examining each furrow as the charred years, and so gave promise as an area for further re­ black overburden was cut through and our search was search. As the loam was ruthlessly removed, I noticed carried down into the yellow subsoil. at the north end of the field a large exposure of black charcoal, which covered an area of about 27 x 40 feet While both charred areas previously mentioned in size. At about the same time another charcoal were inspected, nothing of importance was found in blackened section, somewhat larger than the first, the smaller deposit, the first referred to at the north caught my eye. It measured about 50 x 54 feet and end of the field. Therefore, this report will concen­ lay toward the center of the field on the westerly side. trate on our excavation of charred deposit number 2, But one thing about it was different in that the bull­ the larger of the two, located toward the center of dozer had cut a 10 foot wide furrow through it, dump­ the field. This proved to have an irregular area with ing the excavated charcoal fill nearby. From this was a width of about 50 feet, extending in length on one recovered the center section of a polished stone im­ side about 38 feet and on the other about 54. While plement with contours suggestive of either a Gouge or it seemed to have a ragged edged overall oval shape, a Celt - to be referred to again in the conclusion. it had a sizable section in one corner, where no char- SEAVER FARM SALVAGE EXCAVATION 25 coal existed (Fig. 14). Concluding that this blackened contained only a few artifacts, which are minimal to overburden might be the remains of a house floor, we what lay below. But these few artifacts help identify were careful to examine its perimeter for evidence of the cultural aspect of this blackened top layer of char­ post molds. However, not one could be found to coal. We recovered from it two large Stemless knives prove the former existence of an abode. and part of a large pestle, while another member of the Society, digging in the black between our days of excavation, reports having taken from it a well-worked 14" diameter granitic mortar with about a 2" deep hollowed-out center, known as a Shallow mortar. Near it was found a Muller, and from another part of the black a Chipped ax and a crudely worked nondescript blade. Beside these recoveries, in one section of this charred surface layer appeared a number of firestones, scattered about, but no hearths. As we entered the subsoil, just below the 3" black top layer, there appeared 2 stone hearths, one of which had a crudely worked pestle lying beside it. These hearths were composed of an idiscriminate col­ lection of firestones. They lay at opposite sides of the area near its edges, but appeared to have no connec­ tion with the charred overburden. Several refuse pits were encountered, some reach­ ing depths of 3 feet below the black top layer. They N were unproductive as to artifacts for the most part, containing only a few projectile points and a Grooved weight; 2 questionable semifinished stones, somewhat pestle-shaped, also came from the pits. One of the two may have been a long Plain gouge that had be­ 1s come fractured, or was partly finished. Most projectile points, knives, and scrapers were found outside refuse Fig. 14. SEAVER FARM SALVAGE EXCAVATION. Outline of charcoal· pits in the subsoil, scattered throughout the area. But filled area, showing features that lay beneath 3" of charred over· that which excites the imagination most was the un­ burden. covering of red paint burials. As our work progressed, we became aware that the area contained an immense amount of a charred Lying at the central northern section of the area deposit of some kind, which had a depth of 3" in its 4 burials appeared, each containing a heavy deposit eXiposed condition. However, investigatio.n showed of red powdered ocher. Three of them lay about 5 that perhaps another 6" had been scooped off by the feet apart in a triangular formation, while the fourth bulldozer. This would have produced an overall appeared about 14 feet removed toward the center depth of 9", before it was disturbed. Such a quantity of the area. All of them were more or less similar, of a charcoal deposit seems unrealistic as a house measuring from 18 to 24" in diameter with a deposit floor accumulation, which usually is barely noticeable; of red ocher about 4" deep. This red powder com­ reliance is placed chiefly on post molds for evidence menced to appear at 4" below the blackened over­ of habitation. Examination of this charred overburden burden; apparently had no connection with it that showed that it consisted of crushed charcoal, free of could be detected. Unfortunately, no artifacts ap­ lumps, but probably mixed with some sand. What peared in any of the burials, and no calcined bone or caused its accumulation was not at once apparent, and charcoal was present to offer clues of cultural or cer­ even after working through it and under it with in­ emonial significance. spection of recovered artifacts and features could the Another feature that proved to be of considerable answer be more than a hypothetical guess. In the interest was a small pit, which had a discolored whit­ following paragraphs I will attempt to describe our ish area of about 12" in diameter. This occurred only recoveries as they occurred, and will suggest possible a few inches to the west of one of the three red paint interpretations of the evidence. burials of the triangular formation. It appeared at First let me say that the 3" charred overburden about the same depth as the burials from the black 26 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY overburden in yellow subsoil with a depth of fill of brought our efforts to a close, stratigraphic recordings 3"; was shallow like all the others. However, its con­ were impossible. Therefore, the most that can be ex­ tents were different, for, instead of red powdered pected from our excavation is recognition of artifact ocher, imbedded in the ash-colored outline of the pit, recoveries typologically. This would link projectile fragments of some dark-colored object could be seen. points to the culture positions to which their respec­ Upon closer scrutiny, the matted strands of what may tive types have been found to belong at other sites, have been a woven mat or basket were just discern­ where stratigraphy counted. H')wever, it can be said ible. I carefully removed this object in four or five with certainty that other than those artifacts already large lumps, which were placed in a box packed with reported as coming from the black overburden, the sand. This was taken to the Bronson Museum, where, remaining implement recoveries were found in the after preserving the remains with plastic spray, a yellow subsoil. In all, there are 101 recognizable sample was removed. Then, through the courtesy of typed specimens, although many are fractured. Dr. William G. Colby, it was sent to Harry Ahles, curator of the Botany Museum at Amherst College fOl Of the Early Archaic period, 5 Corner-removed an analysis. #5 points - 3 of which are beautifully serrated­ and one Leaf knife appeared. By far the major part The report of this investigation revealed that the of the assemblage belongs to the Late Archaic occu­ sample proved to be an organic leaf material of the pation, including: 4 Corner-removed#7, 8 Eared#2, cattail family, probably Typha Latifolia. This aquatic 3,4, 15 Small Triangular#1,4,6, 5 Small Stem, 3 Side­ plant, found wild in rivers and ponds, is the tallest of notched#5, 1 Corner-notched projectile points; 2 the cattails. It has long, narrow, smooth green leaves Stem scrapers; 1 Flake scraper; 1 Stemless knife; 2 several feet in length, and is known to have been used Oval scrapers; 1 Grooved weight; 1 Clumsy plummet; by the natives, woven into matting, hassocks, and bas­ and a fragment of a Wing atlatl weight. Illustrated kets. Charles C. Willoughby, in his Antiquities of the are representative specimens of most of these recov­ New England Indians, has this to say about the mak­ eries (Fig. 15). ing of mats: "Mats for covering wigwams were usual­ Finally, a significant find consisted of 12 pot­ ly made of Hag leaves [cattails]' firmly sewed together sherds, the larger ones of which indicate that most of with twisted cords of bast, the needle used for sewing them probably came from a Stage 2 pot having an being often made from one half of the split rib of a elemental dentate decoration, smooth both sides, and deer. Morton says of these exterior mats, some were with vegetable temper. Of these sherds, 4 came from ... made of reeds and some of large Hagges or sedge the black overburden, while 8 were found just below, firmly sewed together with needles made of the splin­ probably intrusive from it due to water erosion. ter bones of a cranes legge with threads made of In­ dian hemp, which there groweth naturally'. Similar CONCLUSION Hag leaf covering mats from the Algonquin tribes of the Great Lakes region, may be seen in our larger After discussing with the Editor what interpreta­ museums. They are made of leaves of the cat-o-'nine­ tion might be made of the evidence, several facts tail [cattail] strung on cords in such a manner that seem self evident. First, since all the stone artifacts, each alternate leaf lies upon opposite sides and covers except the few from the charred overburden, as men­ the junction of two other leaves" ... "I know of no tioned previously, came from the subsoil, there is every existing example of this type from New England but reason to believe that the black overburden was a de­ there is no doubt of their extensive use in this local­ posit made at a later date, which had no association ity." ... "A few examples of this matting from New with what lay below. Second, since no post molds England that have come down to us have been taken could be located about the periphery of the black from graves where small fragments were preserved area, this large irregular deposit of charcoal seems to by contact with copper or brass." ... "used for wrap­ suggest something other than a house Hoor. For, as ping the body ... or as protection to the body." already mentioned, this would represent far more black habitation accumulation than has been found In the northern and southern extremities of the at other sites on house Hoors, which have been identi­ area defined by the black overburden appeared quan­ fied as such. And third, it would seem that the nu­ tities of quartz chips in the yellow subsoil. They merous stone artifacts of the subsoil were there as seemed to represent workshop deposits, but no pro­ natural deposits of rather intensive occupations jectile point was found associated with them to show throughout the two Archaic periods. I have no doubt culture relationship. Further, because of our enforced that a contiuation of this heavy deposition of arti­ method of wholesale excavation by plowing to effect facts extends away from the relatively small ex­ as much salvage as possible before building operations cavated area in the subsoil, which would doubtless SEAVER FARM SALVAGE EXCAVATION 27

,""....",, I 00 ,, ,, I \ I , I \ I '. ,I '\ ,I I

..,.,.,...... -,c""'\-...... ,..",...-e-' --...... --)------....:..:~ Fig. 15. SEAVER FARM SALVAGE RECOVERIES. Late Archaic. 1-4,Small Stem, 5.14,Small Stem, 5-14,Small Triangular #4, 15-17,Small Triangular #1, 21,Corner-notched, 22-24,29-31 ,Eared, 26,27;Corner.removed#7,28,Side-notched#5 Projectile Points; 18,Flake Scraper; 19,5temless Knife; 20, Eared Drill; 25,Grooved Weight ... Early Archaic - 32-36,Corner removed#5 Projectile Points; 37,Leaf Knife. 28 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY have showed up if the whole field could have been At Swan Hold in South Carver similar evidence of excavated. The two stone hearths seem to have been cremations occurred, but without stone paving. Again a part of this occupational manifestation, probably at Oak Island on North River a crematory appeared, the Late Archaic, for they appeared just below the somewhat smaller than those at Wapanucket 6, mea­ black overburden, which seems to have been a later suring about 4 by 8 feet in an oval shape. It contained deposition. a foot of charcoal crushed fill interspersed with lumps of charcoal and a few masses of solid charcoal. Here, It would appear that somewhere along the line, like the others mentioned, there were bits of calcined during the Late Archaic when the area was not being human bone, and like Wapanucket 6 the pit was lined used as a camping ground, it was selected as a sacred with stone slabs - in this case they were of shale. location for four secondary red paint burials, placed While no burned implements were found in the crem­ together in a group. And it seems probable that they atory, in a secondary burial close by appeared burned may have been related to other red paint deposits, implements, presumably removed from the crematory. nearby, which the bulldozer had exposed on a ridge Finally, at Flat River in Rhode Island 4 circular crem­ of land to the south, but which were not dug for lack ation pits were uncovered and excavated. They mea­ of time. No doubt the sandy soil of the area was an sured about 30" in diameter, and had charcoal fill of attraction that made this an ideal burial location. The from 7 to 14" in depth, with lumps of charcoal scat­ pit containing the woven object, lying close to one of tered throughout. These pits contained no calcined the burial pits, probably was associated with it in bone; probably represent the incineration of dried some way. Possibly, it contained a woven sack that bones, which were completely consumed. However, held a food offering for the cremated dead. the pits contained heavily burned stone implements, It now remains, only, to account for the charcoal some of which had been completely incinerated, leav­ top layer, which first caught my eye and has been the ing patches of white powdered stone as evidence. reason for this report. Evidently, it had accumulated This review of previously discovered crematories, as a result of concentrated burning of wood, and in large and small, reveals different methods of cremat­ some way had been subjected to continuous treading ing the dead; the larger ones with green bones partly that had pulverized it into a powdered mass, free of consumed, the smaller pits with dry bones totally in­ unconsumed lumps of charcoal. The few artifacts cinerated. The former used a stone slab lining at taken from .it give some idea as to its cultural associa­ times, the latter, no stone lining at all. However, tion. For instance, the Shallow stone mortar and Mul­ either closely associated or pit-contained, all produced ler, together with the broken pestle, presumed to have stone implements with lumps of charcoal mixed been used for grinding maize, furnish reliable ev­ throughout the charcoal fill. Using these last men­ idence of an activity of the Ceramic era, which in­ tioned criteria - common to all- as an indicator, cludes arrival of agriculture. In support of this post­ we may look in vain for their presence in the char­ ulation, appearance of Stage 2 potsherds in the char­ coal-stained area at the Seaver Farm. Here, no lumps coal seems convincing evidence of pottery-making, of charcoal occurred, and no burned stone implements the most significant domestic pursuit of this last cul­ of a ceremonial nature. Instead, domestic artifacts ture period. This evidence provides reasonable proof appeared: a Shallow stone mortar, Muller, and pestle, of a Ceramic deposition for the charcoal, which would Chipped ax, and 2 Stemless knives with no sign of place it as a superimposition over the earlier Archaic having been burned. A few firestones, also, occurred, remains. but not enough to represent the remains of a crema­ But beyond its probable culture association, what tory. Furthermore, it seems unrealistic to consider could have caused this charcoal accumulation? We the red paint burials, lying 4" below, as justification have already disposed of the idea that it might have for the presence of a crematory in the black over­ been a house floor, which leaves no choice but to burden. For, to be related, it would have to be as­ speculate as to other possible causes. sumed that the burial pits were dug through the 9" of charcoal fill, introducing traces of it in the burials At several sites recently excavated evidence of below, where not a particle was found. Therefore, a crematories and cremation pits, where the dead were crematory hypothesis seems unrealstic. burned, apparently, with appropriate ceremonies, have been reported in the Society Bulletin. At Wap­ Looking for another possible clue to explain the anucket 6 three commodious crematories were lo­ charred fill of this report, I recall an article published cated. They were lined with slabs of stone, and con­ in the Society Bulletin, Vol. 22, #3 and 4, in which a tained quantities of charcoal, in which appeared large deposit of charcoal at the Eaton site in North calcined human bone and some burned implements. Reading, Mass., was described. It measured about 20 This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2010 Massachusetts Archaeological Society.

SEAVER FARM SALVAGE EXCAVAnON 29

feet square with an 11" thick mass of powdered char­ tion of it may have been useful in this industry, as coal, through which were scattered charcoal chunks, well as the Chipped ax, among those artifacts re­ some as large as 1" in diameter. A number of these covered from it. However, the Shallow mortar and showed a smooth surface on one side, as though made Muller, also taken from the charcoal nIl doubtless by a cutting tool of some kind. Recovered from the represent remains of a later occupation, after the charcoal were a number of large stone tools, sugges­ workshop had stopped dugout-making operations. tive of some sort of heavy woodwork. Consisting of a Hatchet, Plain gouge, 2 Celts, and a Full Grooved On the other hand, failure to note scattered ax, they seemed to indicate the possible making at chunks of charcoal is a negative trait, which tends to this location of dugouts, providing reliable evidence throw suspicion on this as being a deposit similar to of a dugout workshop. that of the Eaton site. Nevertheless, it is possible that later occupational activities could have crushed what­ Could it be that the Seaver Farm charcoal area, ever chunks may have previously existed. Considering the subject of this report represents another dugout all phases of this discussion, it seems to me that a workshop? In support of this hypothesis, the Seaver dugout-making hypothesis holds the most promise for deposit displays some similar elements to that of the explaining the charcoal manifestation at the Seaver Eaton site: . a large mass of charcoal, 9" depth of Farm. charred nIl, a powdered condition of the charcoal, and the probable recovery from it of a broken well­ North Middleboro, made segment of a large stone implement, such as a September 3, 1970 Celt. Also, the scattered nrestones found in one sec-

RESTORING ARTIFACTS

WILLIAM S. FOWLER

Anyone who has searched for the artifacts of its original shape is desirable whenever possible, in early man, and has found them fractured with impor­ order that one may study it more fully. However, this tant segments missing, knows the feeling of disappoint­ should be attempted only when there is enough of the ment that usually follows. If only the broken im­ artifact available to insure an authentic replacement perfect tool could be restored to its original shape of the missing part or parts without resorting to con­ and appearance is the thought that at once occurs, jecture. That is to say, only when by projecting the but is usually dismissed for lack of knowledge as to contour of the fragmented artifact's edges the missing how to proceed, or' for another good reason. This is section may be envisioned, and then only when one the fear of committing an unorthodox act should the understands how to proceed. For this reason, and artifact of stone, bone, or ceramics be restored. For, after repeated requests for descriptive information of many hold to the belief that a damaged nnd should how restorations may be carried out, the writer de­ not be altered, since archaeological evaluations are cided to put together this report. dependent upon the recovered artifact no matter how battered or fragmentary it appears. And this is cor­ While his intent is to render service to those most rect as far as it goes. But after an interpretation has interested in testing their skill in this rather intricate been made and the site report written, the nnal dis­ and patience-trying work, it should be realized that position of the damaged artifact may then be con­ he can only cover the most essential operations. He sidered in a less restrained manner. For instance, must leave divergent processing of specially shaped when such a specimen is to be displayed in a private artifacts - of which there are an endless number­ collection, or what is more important, to be placed to the ingenuity of the preparator attempting the res­ under public gaze in a museum, restoration of it to toration. Independent invention in such cases usually 30 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

occurs. For it is expected that anyone aspiring to this Of course, other related tools could be included exacting work will be an individual with some art in the following instructions such as, drills and knives, ability, and with steady handling of the required tools as they too are usually relatively thin and elongated. will have sufficient skill to obtain a satisfactory out­ Restoration of all such implements should take place come. Obviously, as with all such work requiring only when the base and some of the blade is in tact self-mastery of one's faculties, persistence will over - the exception would be in the case of points, when the long run ensure improved results. the existing blade itself is of a type identifiable enough to denote the shape of its missing base, such as for a The equipment required that has been found use­ Fluted point. ful in most cases will now be enumerated at the start of this discussion, in order to provide ready reference Restoration instructions are as follows: 1) Make when mentioned in the course of the processing direc­ a penCil outline drawing of the basal section to be tions that follow. Essential tools consist of a small restored. 2) Project both edges by pencil until they metal spatula; wire-cutting shears; and a sharp pen­ meet at the tip; this drawing represents the missing knife of medium size. Material requirements should part to be replaced. 3) If the point is relatively short, include: "Castone" powder (dental cement); a tube proceed by building upon the fractured edge of the of quick-drying plastic glue; acetone liquid (a plastic blade with Castone cement, using the metal spatula, glue solvent for rectifying errors); ~" mesh wire fly­ and wiping off any cement smears on the stone blade screening; a small stick spatula, whittled from fine with the wet rag. Continue this operation very grad­ grained wood about 6" long with a ~" diameter bit; ually, trimming and carving with a small sharp knife and a whittled wooden spindle tapered at one end the cement before it hardens, to resemble the chip­ from ~" to ~" in diameter. Additional equipment is scarred base. If the section being constructed breaks also essential: an open dish rather deep - such as a off before the point's tip is reached, re-attach it to large clam shell containing water; a glass mug with the stone base with plastic glue, wait for it to dry, and handle in which to mix the cement with water; and then complete the restoration. a wet rag, to be kept wet during the restoration and If the point is relatively long, some 4 to 6", in­ repeatedly washed free of cement wipings - a water structions would be as follows. After the drawing is tap nearby is a necessity. made, as before, cut out a piece of wire screening to fit inside the missing section's outline drawing. Next, A recent exacting restoration of an elbow ceramic build up about a ~" base of cement on the fractured pipe, more than anything else inspired this report. It end of the blade, spread it out and trim with spatula will be described and illustrated after two descrip­ to the blade's thickness. Then immediately place the tions of stone artifact restorations have been dealt matching end of the screening in it. Hold it in posi­ with. In recounting the techniques as used by the tion until cement hardens sufficiently to keep it rigid writer, he is aware that, while his methods have in place. From here on instructions for completion proved successful, undoubtedly they are not the only would be similar to those found in (3). Finally, paint­ ones that could be followed. However, over years of la­ ing of reconstructed parts should follow instructions bor by trial and error he has finally settled on the ones found at the close of the following stone artifact res­ described as being acceptable. They have produced toration directions. realistic restorations showing beyond a possible doubt what the fractured artifacts originally looked like. And Wing Atlatl Weight Restoration. For this impor­ because of this they have enabled the public to get tant and greatly sought-after artifact, restoration usu­ a better conception of primitive implements and pro­ ally consists of duplicating one of its two wings, gen­ ducts than would have been possible from an exhibit erally recovered either in tact or slightly damaged. of fragmented artifacts. Of course, perfect specimens Invariably, the main fracture occurs through the cen­ are more desirable and are always used in displays tral J~" to ~~" diameter hole, probably as a result of whenever obtainable. However, this is not the case in frost action in most cases. So, assuming the restoration many instances, especially for rare types of projectile consists of adding the missing wing, including con­ points, and, as will be understood from the pipe res­ struction of half of the drilled hole, instructions would toration that concludes this report, for ceramic pipes consist of several steps: 1) First outline on paper that almost without exception are recovered in a the wing to be duplicated, then turn it over and out­ damaged condition. line it again, thereby forming a drawing of the com­ plete atlatl weight. 2) Dampen the fractured edges Projectile Point Restoration. Consideration is first about the central hole of the weight with a wet rag given to these stone projectiles, since they are more and proceed to delicately build them outward with numerous and are usually found in most collections. cement, projecting their circular contour. As the RESTORING ARTIFACTS 31 cement starts to harden, carefully cut away excess fragment was recovered at the Bluff site on Flat cement with a sharp knife down to the stone surfaces, River in Rhode Island. In reporting the site in Society keeping them wiped clean. With the spatula continue Bulletin, Vo. 33, # 1&2, an illustrated restoration of with the cement to build upon the drilled shell edges, the pipe, derived from the fragment, was attempted. which now should be nearing the point of joining. After this was completed, it appeared certain that During this process carefully carve the concavity of the pipe must have been an exceptional piece of the interior walls of the central drilling. 3) After ceramic craftsmanship with a four-sided rim. The il­ allowing the cement to set but not to harden too much, lustrated restoration was, of course, the result of eye insert the tapered spindle - first dipped in water­ evaluation, and, although realistic in all particulars, into the partly formed perforation and then cover it could not be said to be as authentic as a true physical with cement, thereby attaching both sides of the shell restoration would be. For restored in this way the together. As it begins to dry, carefully twist the spindle contours of the fragment would be projected, and, as slightly, drawing it out at the same time. Extreme a pipe bowl is circular in shape, such projections care must be used so as not to break the bond of the would ultimately meet to form the true shape of the cement with the stone edges of the atlatl weight. In pipe bowl. Also, since the fragment fortunately was this way the central perforation is formed. By re­ from the stem side of the bowl, its lower extremity peated insertion and twisting of the spindle after each containing as it did part of the curve where it joined addition of more cement, the hole will be smoothed onto the stem, suggested the correct elbow angle. and finished to size desired. At this stage it is im­ portant to keep running a water-soaked strip of rag However, obstacles to a successful restoration through the hole to clean exposed stone surfaces. 4) seemed to make it prohibitive, as the writer looked At this point, cut a piece of wire screening of a side them over. The small fragment, all there was to show to fit inside the outline drawing of the wing to be how the pipe had looked, revealed a constricted cir­ constructed. Set its base end in wet cement with the cumference at the base of the bowl, with less of the correct tilt on the exposed side of the drilled shell bowl's walls to go by toward the rim. But worst of and allow to harden. Next, build out the wing with all, these walls were only 1/ 16" thick, too thin to cement, working first on one side of the screening permit attachment of a wire mesh form as a support and then on the other. Trim the edges and faces of for the cement. the form with a sharp knife as the work proceeds, but before cement becomes bone dry and hard, copying On the other hand, several features of the frag­ by eye the contour and traits of the stone wing ment gave hope for success. There was one slightly being duplicated. Continue in this way until wing is castellated corner and enough of the rim extending completed. away from it to reveal the bowl's shape at the rim. This rim section was relatively straight, not curved as usual. Obviously, this straight length of rim would Painting Directions for all Stone Restorations. Be­ have to terminate quickly to be part of this small pipe fore painting is undertaken, brush a coating of animal bowl's circumference. By projection on paper it was wall size - water base - over the entire artifact, of found that these features would have to produce a which the cemented constructed sections alone are to four-sided castellated pipe bowl at its rim. This fea­ be painted, and allow to dry thoroughly before pro­ ture together with the fragment and elbow pipe, ceeding further. Then, on a suitable palette mix oil which was finally restored from it - details of res­ paints, using artist's paints thinned with rectified tur­ toration follow - have been illustrated for a better pentine (high grade). Use special dull white - as appreciation of the undertaking and of the outstand­ used for ceiling painting - to produce pastel shades ing traits of the pipe (Fig. 16). to match those of the stone. Most shades may be ob­ tained from the following paints: burnt sienna, raw Without a wire mesh form to build upon, the al­ sienna, verdant green, ivory black, and ceiling white. ternative was to gradually, with Castone cement and Use of dull-drying black and white is most important spatula project, step by step, the existing edges of the to match the usual dull stone surfaces. After painted fragment, but no more than Jf' at a time. First the surfaces are allowed to dry for 24 hours brush a final stem was constructed at a tilt from the bowl, as in­ coating of animal sizing over the entire restored arti­ dicated by the curve at base of the fragment. At the fact to prevent paint from becoming worn from start enough of the base of the pipe's bowl was con­ handling. structed to find out how large around to make the stem. And at this stage a fine whittled stick was in­ Elbow Pipe, Chevron Decorated, Restoration. serted in the wet cement to commence formation of What at the time seemed like a most unusual pipe the perforation, which would in the end extend 32 MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

throughout the stem. The stick, obviously, was not Contrary to the regular practice of completing left in the cement, but was twisted slowly and grad­ required design work in wet cement during restoring ually withdrawn as the cement began to dry. Then operations, in this particular case it was left till after it was repeatedly inserted again and again, to keep the cement had become fully set and as hard as stone. the hole from collapsing. In this way the stem was This delay was necessary in order to keep the incised completed. work under better control because of the small size of this thin-walled object. For this part of the res­ toration a projection of the design was pencilled in ,------..... " I' ~ --- - ', on the bowl, in which eight separate chevrons were

: " \ I found to be involved. Next a suitable stylus of a size '.I :\ to fit the original fine lines of the fragment was made. '( I I l:"; " A large needle firmly set in a small wooden handle ~'...... '" I ------~: and broken off about a half inch above the handle _/ "... seemed ideal. It had a few sharp concealed projec­ tions, which proved important incisors in biting into the hard cement. With a wet rag the surface to be worked was dampened, which softened it just enough to allow the stylus to make the necessary incisions. And in this manner the pipe was completed, except for the painting of the reconstructed areas. This work was accomplished using the same paints, and apply­ ing them in the same way as recommended for res­ toration of stone implements.

CONCLUSION

Fig. 16. ELBOW PIPE FRAGMENT AND ACTUAL RESTORATION MADE What now can be said about this unusual pipe to FROM IT. I,Pipe Fragment; 2,Projection of Rim; 3,Pipe Rlastoration, showing position of fragment. identify it with the culture period to which it may belong? At once we are impressed with the fine hard­ Now the most difficult operation had to be faced, fired ware of the fragment with an imperceptible fine that of constructing the bowl with its thin 1/16" mineral temper, if present at all. This should repre­ walls. These alone had to support the wet cement, sent extreme skill in the ceramic arts, doubtless com­ patch by patch, as the bowl was cautiously construc­ ing toward the close of generations of effort in the ted by projecting the curves of the fragment. At this field of ceramics. And then attention is called to point the small wooden spatula was used to treat the another outstanding feature: the four-sided bowl inside surface of each patch of cement. By first dip­ opening with slightly castellated corners. Such a style ping it in water and then laying it carefully against is seldom found among pipes of the Northeast. But the partly hardened cement, it re-softened the inside still another equally unusual trait is the outward Hare surface and allowed it to be spread out and smoothed of the bowl from bottom to top. This seems rem­ without breaking the bond between the patch and the iniscent of the Iroquoian Trumpet pipe. And finally, edge of the bowl's walls. Work continued of patching, the incised filled-in chevron design represents a motif which kept the cement moistened enou,gh, so that it frequently found on pottery of the last ceramic de­ did not become thoroughly dried out into a hard un­ velopment, Stage 4. workable condition. Now the small sharp blade of a penknife was used to carve the concavity of the inside When considered altogether these traits would bowl walls, and so reduce their thickness to the re­ seem to indicate a late date for the pipe of perhaps quired 1/16" dimension. As an approach was made about 1600. At about this time New England pottery to the rim, projection of the fragment's upper section was Iroquois-inHuenced, displaying the collared cas­ produced a perceptible Hare to the bowl, which is an tellated rim feature along with several kinds of chev­ unusual trait for ceramic pipes from New England. ron design motifs. Therefore, it would appear consis­ Continuing in this way, restoration of the pipe was tent that this tendency to follow Iroquoian art would completed, except for extension around the pipe also appear in ceramic pipe-making, presumably an bowl of the chevron incised design, as found on the industrial activity of the women, who were the pot­ fragment. ters. Perhaps the most convincing feature to suggest RESTORING ARTIFACTS this culture association is the flaring pipe bowl, sim­ England potter. Therefore, the culture to which it ilar to but less extreme than that of the larger Trum­ probably belonged is late Ceramic Iroquois-influenced pet pipes of the Iroquois. However, the modified at about the time of the coming of the whites. features of this report's fragmented pipe - its four­ sided mouth opening and more moderate trumpet Bronson Museum, flare - would seem to suggest local work of a New January 28, 1972